NHS priorities may provide benefit for people with MS
The MS Trust welcomes the fact that the Framework focuses on several issues that could potentially benefit people with MS
02 December 2011
Author: MS Trust
The Department of Health has published its new NHS Operating Framework outlining performance targets and financial requirements in England for the year from April 2012. The MS Trust welcomes the fact that the Framework focuses on several issues that could potentially benefit people with MS
One of the key themes for this coming year is putting individuals at the centre of decision making and giving greater opportunities for choice – something the MS Trust strongly supports. We provide information for people with MS to inform and support decisions about treatment options, care or services in partnership with health and social care professionals.
The Framework also sets some goals for enhancing quality of life for people with long-term conditions. One of those measures focuses on the proportion of people feeling supported to manage their condition. The MS Trust recently jointly funded the third national audit of MS services with the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). Amongst the findings, the audit highlighted that only a small minority (12%-16%) of people with MS had received specific assistance in learning about self-management. The focus on self-management in the Operating Framework could help achieve some much-needed improvements in this area for people with MS.
The new Operating Framework requires local NHS organisations (currently called PCTs) to be more open about money for carers’ breaks. They need to agree their policies, plans and budgets to support carers with local authorities and voluntary organisations and these need to be in line with the Carers’ Strategy (2010). The MS Trust /RCP audit also looked at support for carers and found that few families and carers (9%-12%) received specific help and support, including respite care. Disappointingly, there is no requirement in the Operating Framework to increase or improve the level of support for carers.
The Operating Framework also proposes to include rewards for NHS organisations that publish their data from the National Safety Thermometer. This Thermometer measures harm to people in four areas including pressure ulcers (recognised by NICE guidance as a sentinel marker in MS), urinary tract infections in individuals using catheters, falls and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Local NHS organisations are also required to improve access to psychological therapies for conditions such as anxiety and depression.
The MS Trust welcomes the focus of the Framework on putting people at the centre of decision making and a focus on self care. The evidence of the MS Trust/RCP audit of MS services shows that it will take more than a commitment of words to drive improvement in these areas. We still need to see the necessary monitoring and financial incentives in place in order that NHS Trusts follow through on these otherwise excellent aims.
Full details were published on 24 November 2011 on the Department of Health website – The Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2012-13
