NHS Targets to be Replaced by New Goals

Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has announced new goals to replace NHS targets. Three areas are the main focus in this new policy - stroke, dementia and blood clots.

The new targets are the work of NHS watchdog NICE in consultation with doctors and patients. Mr Lansley denied that he was setting mini-targets even as the Labour's targets on waiting times may have to go.

"These are standards not diktats. It is not politicians establishing these, I am not picking them out. If I started doing that I would be distorting clinical standards," he said adding that they were evidence-based guidelines rather than targets.

Some of the new targets include access to a specialist within one hour of a stroke diagnosis and rehab within 72 hours of discharge. The British Medical Association has backed the new standards saying they were backed by evidence, "We are pretty impressed," he added.


Source: Medindia