ABSTRACT
Vertical integration models aim for the integration of services from different levels of care (e.g., primary, and secondary care) with the objective of increasing coordination and continuity of care as well as improving efficiency, quality, and access outcomes. This paper provides a view of the Portuguese National Health Service (NHS) healthcare providers' vertical integration, operationalized by the Portuguese NHS Executive Board during 2023 and 2024. This paper also aims to contribute to the discussion regarding the opportunities and constraints posed by public healthcare organizations vertical integration reforms. The Portuguese NHS operationalized the development and generalization of Local Health Units management model throughout the country. The same institutions are now responsible for both the primary care and the hospital care provided by public services in each geographic area, in an integrated manner. This 2024 reform also changed the NHS organic and organizational structures, opening paths to streamline the continuum of care. However, it will be important to ensure adequate monitoring and support, with the participation of healthcare services as well as community structures and other stakeholders, to promote an effective integration of care.
Subject(s)
Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Health Care Reform , National Health Programs , Portugal , Humans , National Health Programs/organization & administration , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , State Medicine/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Continuity of Patient CareSubject(s)
Career Choice , Humans , United Kingdom , State Medicine/organization & administration , AdolescentABSTRACT
Effective integration of research within healthcare organisations is recognised to improve outcomes. A research strategy within a hospital Trust in South West England was revised, following the launch of a national Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) strategy that promotes research engagement and activity. The aim was to develop, implement and evaluate this revised strategic plan for research. High-level engagement within the organisation was established and previous initiatives evaluated. A 6-year plan with 2-year targets was defined and evaluated at year end. The four pillars of the CNO strategy were central to the revised strategy, underpinned by digital innovation. Evaluation of the earlier strategy indicated excellent engagement with the Chief Nurse Research Fellow initiative and the Clinical Academic Network. The 'Embedding Research In Care' (ERIC) unit was reconfigured to an ERIC model, which aided question generation and project development. Year one objectives were achieved within the revised plan. Implementing a research strategy within an organisation requires a cultural shift and a long-term vision is required with measurable objectives. The team demonstrated significant progress through high-level leadership, mentoring and cross-professional collaboration.
Subject(s)
Nursing Research , Humans , Nursing Research/organization & administration , England , State Medicine/organization & administration , Strategic Planning , Leadership , Organizational ObjectivesSubject(s)
Primary Health Care , State Medicine , Primary Health Care/organization & administration , Primary Health Care/trends , State Medicine/organization & administration , Humans , United Kingdom , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/organization & administration , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated/trends , ForecastingABSTRACT
John Tingle, Lecturer in Law, Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, discuses some key NHS stakeholder perspectives on NHS patient safety.
Subject(s)
Patient Safety , State Medicine , State Medicine/organization & administration , Patient Safety/standards , Humans , United Kingdom , Stakeholder ParticipationSubject(s)
State Medicine , Humans , United Kingdom , State Medicine/organization & administration , NursingABSTRACT
Sam Foster, Executive Director of Professional Practice, Nursing and Midwifery Council, considers the potential of nurses to improve their local health systems and, through those, the societies in which they live.
