What holds back innovation in the NHS? Health Committee examines track record of pilot schemes
The Health and Social Care Committee will question experts on why it is that promising NHS pilot schemes that deliver better results don’t always lead to systemic improvements across the country.
Meeting details
In this session MPs will look at case studies of pilot schemes and consider the reasons why successes weren’t replicated – such as a lack of funding, training or insufficient direction from NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Among the examples to be examined will be the Sickle Cell Emergency Department Bypass Unit Pilot. This has provided an alternative to A&E for sickle cell patients in seven locations in London and the north of England, with the aim to reduce deaths related to the blood disease which mainly affects patients from minority ethnic backgrounds. The pilot is currently being assessed, although funding from NHS England will end in March this year.
There will also be discussion of the Vanguard programme, which ran from 2015 to 2018 and saw 50 NHS sites explore new operating models that aimed to provide integrated prevention and care services in more local settings.
Meanwhile, Cornwall and Sheffield are home to “super” or “one stop shop” diabetes clinics that have shown success in increasing the number of screening appointments among disengaged groups, leading to fewer infections and amputations.
Expert witnesses will also be asked about the HOPE(S) programme which aimed to reduce the segregation of patients with autism and other learning difficulties from mainstream healthcare settings.