Carter points to £1bn in savings
The review, which follows up on Lord Carter’s 2016 report on the acute sector, focuses on the mental health and community sectors.
Reviewing 23 community and mental health providers, Lord Carter said each provider demonstrated areas where they performed well. But best practice should be more effectively shared.
He identified unwarranted variations in workforce productivity, particularly in community services, and utilisation, as well as the use of resources in non-pay goods and services. The use of technology and mobile working to improve efficiency and productivity was inconsistent and poor in many areas.
Removing these variations and tackling operational challenges would deliver better care for patients, a more productive workforce and efficient use of funds, he added. This could release up to £1bn a year.
The Getting it right first time programme should be extended to community and mental health services and should specify more efficient and high-quality care pathways. Lord Carter also insisted there was scope to examine all areas of spending, including corporate services, procurement and estates.
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