This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jun/05/nhs-lack-honesty-mike-farrar

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
NHS suffers from lack of honesty says Mike Farrar NHS suffers from lack of honesty says Mike Farrar
(4 months later)
The health service is in turmoil because of poor practice on the wards and urgently needs a "more honest and transparent" relationship with patients, the head of the NHS Confederation, which represents the service's top managers, warns today.The health service is in turmoil because of poor practice on the wards and urgently needs a "more honest and transparent" relationship with patients, the head of the NHS Confederation, which represents the service's top managers, warns today.
In a speech at the confederation's annual conference Mike Farrar, the organisation's chief executive, will say that the NHS is so destabilised that it is struggling to attract executives – leaving top posts unfilled.In a speech at the confederation's annual conference Mike Farrar, the organisation's chief executive, will say that the NHS is so destabilised that it is struggling to attract executives – leaving top posts unfilled.
"It is no surprise to me that many of the CEO posts in the NHS are vacant. The NHS is reeling from a series of problems that [are] a product of poor practice, or policy, and a lack of honesty about how the service operates and its financial context," he will say."It is no surprise to me that many of the CEO posts in the NHS are vacant. The NHS is reeling from a series of problems that [are] a product of poor practice, or policy, and a lack of honesty about how the service operates and its financial context," he will say.
Farrar suggests the use of data in the health service as a way of reforming the NHS without reorganising it. "Of all the fall out from Mid Staffs, the massive opportunity of openness, transparency and engagement with patients and the public is the greatest," he says.Farrar suggests the use of data in the health service as a way of reforming the NHS without reorganising it. "Of all the fall out from Mid Staffs, the massive opportunity of openness, transparency and engagement with patients and the public is the greatest," he says.
However discussion of a postcode lottery in the health service would test the public's faith in the system's fairness. Farrar will say: "Revealing the variability of the current service outcomes, quality and capability is not something that sits well in a system that prides itself on equity and fairness. Variation in life expectancy creates moral outrage but variation in the ability of the service to operate successfully on your hernia, hip or your child's heart is in a different league."However discussion of a postcode lottery in the health service would test the public's faith in the system's fairness. Farrar will say: "Revealing the variability of the current service outcomes, quality and capability is not something that sits well in a system that prides itself on equity and fairness. Variation in life expectancy creates moral outrage but variation in the ability of the service to operate successfully on your hernia, hip or your child's heart is in a different league."
Farrar will say that parts of the NHS have been unable to work collectively - a reason "why urgent and emergency services are under so much pressure". His intervention comes as fresh warnings emerge that the winter coming is likely to intensify pressure on accident and emergency wards. According to a new survey of NHS trusts by the Foundation Trust Network, six out of ten trusts expect the coming winter to be worse than 2012-13.Farrar will say that parts of the NHS have been unable to work collectively - a reason "why urgent and emergency services are under so much pressure". His intervention comes as fresh warnings emerge that the winter coming is likely to intensify pressure on accident and emergency wards. According to a new survey of NHS trusts by the Foundation Trust Network, six out of ten trusts expect the coming winter to be worse than 2012-13.
The FTN's new report, Emergency Care and Emergency Services 2013, reveals that 72% of trusts believe the accident and emergency system is at a tipping point. Four in ten trusts said that more seriously ill patients are causing system overload and a third pointed to failures of GPs and social care services.The FTN's new report, Emergency Care and Emergency Services 2013, reveals that 72% of trusts believe the accident and emergency system is at a tipping point. Four in ten trusts said that more seriously ill patients are causing system overload and a third pointed to failures of GPs and social care services.
Farrar, seen as a possible successor to NHS England's Sir David Nicholson who retires next year, will say that the NHS needs "no more hollow rhetoric". and calls for an "NHS that is focused on care and not caught up in political ideology" Randeep RameshFarrar, seen as a possible successor to NHS England's Sir David Nicholson who retires next year, will say that the NHS needs "no more hollow rhetoric". and calls for an "NHS that is focused on care and not caught up in political ideology" Randeep Ramesh
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.