UK to give advice on NHI
Health officials will meet former NHS chief
Oct 3, 2010 11:26 PM | By HARRIET MCLEAImplementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) will "get a step closer" this week after more than a decade of planning.
Health ministry officials are expected to meet British advisers on Wednesday to learn from their experience of the National Health System.
This follows a decision by the ANC at its national general council meeting that the health department would need an additional R11-billion in 2012, the first year of the NHI's implementation. It is to be implemented in phases from 2012 over a 14-year period.
Director General of the National Department of Health Precious Matsoso said the UK was "a good example of a country that has dealt successfully with problems of quality in the health care system".
Former chief executive of the NHS, Lord Nigel Crisp and the British High Commissioner to South Africa, Dr Nicola Brewer will attend the meeting described as an "international consultative workshop on quality improvement." Matsoso said it was an opportunity "to learn . how health services can be delivered based on principles of honesty and respect, and how to promote a culture of safety, quality, openness, accountability and collaborative teamwork ...
"We can also learn . how they introduced appropriate standards, enhanced safety of patients, and promoted public participation..."
The meeting will look at creating benchmarks for standards in six "priority areas":
- Patient safety;
- Infection prevention and control;
- Availability of medicines;
- Reduction of waiting times;
- Cleanliness;
- Healthcare worker attitudes;
- Values and motivation;
Speaking at a Gauteng Health Department forum last week, head of community health at the University of Pretoria, Professor John Matjila said he hoped the NHI would mean a change in attitude to caring for patients. ''Hopefully it will not just provide resources but also improve [service to patients]."
Source -iol.co.za
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