Darzi: Comment on your SHA's improved model of care

Over the next two-and-a-half months you have the opportunity to comment on your local strategic health authority's improved models of care, produced as part of the Darzi Review to ensure the NHS is up to date with the latest clinical developments and able to meet changing needs and expectations.

In July 2007, Secretary of State for Health Alan Johnson asked Lord Ara Darzi to conduct a 'once in a generation review' of the health service in England, consulting with patients and staff to set priorities for the next 60 years.

Lord Darzi will publish the results of his labours, Our NHS, Our Future, in June 2008.

According to the review's documents to date, strategic health authorities (SHAs) will be responsible for ensuring there is 'appropriate capability and capacity' in the NHS to deliver 'robust, evidence-based proposals', produce effective consultations and implement changes successfully.

Primary care trusts (PCTs) will be expected to take the lead in developing proposals for local service redesign and ensuring patient and public involvement at all stages.

Clinical leaders in PCTs will be responsible for 'generating, leading and managing major service change' and ensure frontline and other staff are engaged.

Get involved

The nine participating English SHAs have developed improved models of care for their regions to ensure the NHS is up to date with the latest clinical developments and is able to meet changing needs and expectations.

Each SHA document is out for consultation until August (check each document for closing dates) and the RCSLT strongly urges you all to read and respond to your regional document.

The RCSLT will also formally reply to each. If you have any issues or concerns that you would like to raise please send these to RCSLT Policy Officer Claire Moser clearly marking with SHA document they refer to.

Read your SHA's vision for the future and to keep up to date with developments