Improving health outcomes

The Department of Health has set ambitious competencies for primary care trusts to meet in commissioning health services for their communities. Achieving these competencies is part of working towards World Class Commissioning, a national drive to deliver a more strategic and long-term approach to commissioning services, with a clear focus on delivering improved health outcomes.

NHS Birmingham East and North is committed to the principles of World Class Commissioning and has worked hard to meet the challenge that has been set. The trust produced a series of documents as part of the Department of Health’s assurance process, including a strategic plan.

The assurance process highlighted NHS Birmingham East and North as performing very strongly in commissioning. The trust’s challenge is now to progress this work in order to further benefit people who live in east and north Birmingham.

The trust has highlighted the following 10 key health outcomes, which we will work to deliver over the next five to 10 years.

1. Reducing health inequalities – By 2018 someone from Washwood Heath or Kingstanding can expect to live as long and well as someone from Sutton Four Oaks does today. The difference is currently six years.
2. Life expectancy - By tackling the illnesses which kill local people younger, we will save an extra 1,000 years of life each year. Local men die, on average, six years earlier than the average UK man.
3. Reducing teenage pregnancy – By 2012, no ward in NHS Birmingham East and North will have more than eight babies born each year to mothers under the age of 18. Babies of teenage parents are more likely to die. Both mother and baby are less likely to succeed in education and work and more likely to have health problems and die younger.
4. Breastfeeding - By 2018, 85% of mothers will breastfeed their children at birth, providing natural protection against illness and future obesity.
5. Stop smoking – By 2018, we shall have the lowest smoking rates of any major city. Approximately 27% of adults living in NHS Birmingham East and North smoke. Smoking is linked to poverty and is a major cause of ill health.
6. Stroke care – By 2012, 75% of people admitted to hospital who have had a stroke will receive a brain scan within 24 hours, and everyone will spend at least 90% of their time in hospital on a unit dedicated to the management of stroke patients.
7. Hospital transfers – By 2012 only 2% of people waiting to be discharged from an acute hospital will experience delays on the ward.
8. Reducing Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) – Every year from 2009 we shall find an additional 1,000 people most at risk of CHD and ensure they receive effective treatment and support to stay healthy.
9. End of life care – By 2012 the 70% of people who choose to die at home will receive support to do so.
10. Patient satisfaction – In 2012, patients in NHS Birmingham East and North will be highly satisfied with local health services with over 95% rating them as excellent.

Although the trust recognises that these are ambitious targets, they demonstrate the level of commitment it has to improve the health and well-being of everyone within its population.