Rising to the challenge Using evidence about what works to improve quality and save money

November 2009

About 1 mins to read

Key points

Poor quality is both common and costly.
Some interventions to improve quality do work but, in their current form, cost more than they save.
Some interventions to improve quality do work and save money, but success requires skilful implementation.
Costs and benefits are spread over time and between different organisations.
Context factors influence whether a provider saves money by improving quality.
The simpler the change, the more likely implementation will succeed.
Complex process and organisational changes offer the greatest potential for savings, but there is less evidence as to their effectiveness, and greater risk of failure.

This briefing summarises the evidence that quality improvement initiatives can make to saving money and makes recommendations for action.

It also and sets out how the Health Foundation and others are supporting the NHS to improve quality and save money.