Health Foundation responds to Lord Carter's call for hospitals to improve care delivery by reducing variation

Productivity expert Lord Carter of Coles’ has today called on hospitals to improve the way they deliver care for patients by reducing variation.

Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, comments:

'The British Social Attitudes survey results 2015 told us that 51% of the public can see waste within the NHS. Lord Carter of Coles’ work identifies significant and unwarranted variations in procurement and in clinical care which if acted on may reach £5bn saving across the NHS by 2019/20.  

'This can only help as the NHS is facing a substantial financial challenge, with providers currently running a deficit of £930m, likely to rise to £2bn by the end of the year. The NHS has to make overall efficiency savings of £22bn by the end of the decade.

“The complexity of the task at hand cannot be underestimated. Staff are working flat out and need space and support to achieve change. Evidence from the programmes we have supported shows that good leadership, engaged clinicians, accurate data, a supportive improvement culture and time are crucial.

'The Health Foundation and the King’s Fund have argued for a transformation ‘invest-to-save’ fund to support change within the NHS, including those of the type identified by Lord Carter. Without such investment, a detailed plan, careful implementation and clear accountability, progress will stall. Lord Carter’s initiative must also be part of a coherent overall national approach to achieving efficiencies by 2020/21, which needs to be developed between NHS Improvement, NHS England and other relevant arm’s length bodies.'

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Media contact Mike Findlay

Senior Media Manager

T: 020 7257 8047        E: mike.findlay@health.org.uk