Better NHS standard ‘could save 10,000’ lives, says Andrew Lansley
I think we should do more to interpret the impact of neighbourhoods on health issues. I believe the generic term for this area of debate is health inequalities. This is an issue local authorities will be taking more responsibility for through their engagement in health and well-being boards. I wonder how many are equipped to link their geography and demography into these responsibilities?
I remember a stark discussion about eye-wateringly different life expectancies for people on different sides of one housing estate in Nottingham. Life expectancy may be greater in large swathes of rural England but the burden of supported individuals in their own homes in rural areas needs more examination in this context. This article plays back the view of Government that a simple increase in standards (albeit underpinned by 60 steps!!!) could save 10,000 lives – how many are likely to be in rural England?
It says:
More than 10,000 lives could be saved every year if the NHS were to outstrip average standards set internationally, Health Secretary Andrew Lansley said today as he unveiled a new 60-step plan to boost patient outcomes. The Cabinet minister said the record on unnecessary early deaths varied across specialties as he urged the health service to focus on “what really matters” – the results achieved for patients and their experiences while being treated.