Yorkshire publishes vision for delivering Darzi reforms

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Higher life expectancy and fewer admissions to hospital for patients with long-term conditions, brought about in part by increased patient responsibility, are among the goals for NHS Yorkshire and the Humber.

The strategic health authority was the second region to publish its vision for delivery of the Darzi reforms this week.

Eight clinical pathway groups involving over 150 clinicians developed the recommendations featured in the document Health Ambitions (see below).

Overall clinical lead Chris Welsh said the SHA's approach to the work was very different from techniques used in the past.

He said: "They're very different to the sort of recommendations we would have come up from an entirely management driven process.

"Each of the clinical pathway groups worked with a PCT chief executive in a 'buddy' role so we have ensured that we have had good clinical input and realistic management input and the whole thing is grounded in something that can be achieved both by management and accepted by clinicians."

He said the recommendation for a 10 per cent shift of resource into investment and support for lifestyle changes raised much discussion.

Major signposts in the road map

• Improve life expectancy in areas where significantly below national average

• Halve the number of children admitted to hospital with asthma

• Prevent 600 premature deaths every year with better stroke care

• Better use of pharmacists to reduce hospital admissions

• Double the number of people dying at home instead of in hospital

• No waiting lists for mental health services

• GP specialising in children and an advice line staffed by an experienced children's practitioner out of hours

• Experienced staff making decisions at the front door of every hospital A&E unit and beyond for acute care