You are in > manchester.com  > News > NHS goals unveiled

Health

NHS goals unveiled

13/12/2007

Reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and waiting times are at the heart of the government's goals for the NHS over the next three years.

Targets have been outlined today in the latest operating framework, which states that raising patient satisfaction and public confidence in the NHS "must be at the heart of all we do".

The framework says it expects primary care trusts (PCTs) to improve cleanliness and reduce HCAIs and calls for more patients to be treated within the target of 18 weeks from referral.

It also states that PCTs must improve readiness to respond to a state of emergency such as an outbreak of flu pandemic.

NHS chief executive David Nicholson said the operating framework is "a truly ambitious programme for the NHS".

"It also provides a real platform from which local NHS organisations - and the patients and communities they serve - will have a much stronger voice in determining their own priorities," he added.

To coincide with the framework health secretary Alan Johnson announced that PCTs will receive £74.2 billion in 2008/09.

"We want the NHS to use these extra resources to concentrate on the key priorities set out in the operating framework, such as tackling infection, increasing access and improving the overall health of their local population," he said.

Health minister Lord Ara Darzi added: "This is not just about building extra primary care capacity but developing high-quality, responsive services.

"This is a great opportunity for a broad range of providers to work in partnership with the NHS to develop innovative services for patients."