Friday 12:28
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, today challenged doctors and managers to put an end to unacceptable variations in healthcare provision across the country.
Launching his annual report On the State of Public Health, Sir Liam Donaldson highlighted that there are still wide ranging variations across the country despite the creation of the National Health Service in 1948 and the continuing developments in healthcare.
He pointed that variation is demonstrable in many areas of medical practice but particularly focuses on:
- tonsillectomy among children; - hysterectomy; - treatment for people with coronary disease; and - prescribing patterns.
Sir Liam Donaldson said:
"Inappropriate variation runs contrary to the moral contract agreed in 1948 between the NHS and the public - to provide care equitably.
"Variation in the provision of specific health services can sometimes be appropriate but it can also suggest waste or inequity within the NHS. There are too many variations that cannot be explained by the needs of patients and that occur because of the habits of clinical decision makers.
"Publishing this report today I am setting down a challenge to commissioners of health services - to reaffirm their commitment to the principle of equity and ensure their patients receive a fair service and the care they need."
The Chief Medical Officer is the UK Government's principal medical adviser. His annual reports have championed the need for action on key public health issues - as well as reported on progress made in tackling previously highlighted concerns.
This year's report also draws attention to:
- Pandemic Influenza and progress of planning within the UK since the publication of the UK Influenza Plan; - The pressure of organisational change and funding on the delivery of public health; - Kernicterus - a rare but devastating disease affecting newborn babies; - Lessons the NHS can learn from the safety processes operated in the airline industry.
Sir Liam Donaldson said:
"Pandemic flu is one of the issues that has dominated the health year. The current serious outbreaks of bird flu in wild birds and poultry in many parts of the world could be the spark that triggers a new human influenza pandemic. In October 2005 I launched an update to the UK pandemic flu plan and since then a great deal of planning work both within the NHS and across the whole of government has taken place.
"The delivery of public health services across the country is a concern. In his report, Securing Good Health for the Whole Population, Sir Derek Wanless wrote of the necessity of achieving good public health. I have addressed the importance of protecting the public health infrastructure and budgets in order for this to be achieved.
"Kernicterus is a devastating disease that affects the liver of newborn babies. It is potentially preventable but may be increasing in incidence. We need to raise awareness among health professionals and parents to help tackle this preventable disease. I would like to see a national register of kernicterus, education and training programmes for health professionals, explicit advice for parents on what to look out for when they leave hospital and finally I would ask the National Screening Committee to consider the cost effectiveness of a bilirubin blood test to help identify the risk of kernicterus.
"Finally, I examine the processes operated within the airline industry and the culture of safety that is truly integral to the working lives of all those engaged in commercial aviation and the NHS has many lessons to learn from it."
Notes to Editors
1. The Chief Medical Officer's Annual Report 2004 is available for download at http://www.dh.gov.uk/cmo and further hard copies can be obtained by calling Department of Health Publications on 08701 555-455.
2. Previous annual reports have focused on the need to create legislation for smoke-free public places, obesity, binge drinking, health inequalities and delays in identifying HIV infection.
Client ref 2006/0267
