Summary
The report “Innovation health and wealth: accelerating adoption and diffusion in the NHS” defines the Department of Health’s delivery agenda for innovation throughout the NHS.
While the NHS is a world leader when it comes to invention, good ideas are not always adopted widely or quickly. Innovation promises to improve outcomes for patients and deliver value for money, so should be promoted throughout the health and social care system where appropriate. It is proposed that all NHS organisations adopt the integrated set of actions presented in this report into their planning processes during 2012/13.
On Carers of People with Dementia
There are approximately 600,000 people in the UK who perform the duties of being the primary carer for a person with dementia, often at great costs to themselves. Carers can benefit hugely from comprehensive support, including emotional support, assistance with day-to-day caring and access to respite and short breaks.
It is estimated that carers save the UK tax payer £6 billion per year. The provision of support for carers, including carer breaks, access to psychological therapies and support should help enable such persons to continue caring, thereby relieving growing strains on the health and care system.
It is proposed in this report that the NHS should ensure that suitable psychological therapies are commissioned and made available in line with NICE-SCIE guidelines. The NHS should ensure improved provision of carers’ breaks.
Reference
Department of Health (2011). Innovation health and wealth: accelerating adoption of innovation in the NHS. Leeds: Department of Health, NHS Improvement & Efficiency Directorate, Innovation and Service Improvement, December 5th 2011.
Click here to view a range of supporting documents.
See also the video: NHS Innovation Health and Wealth (Department of Health, Dementia).
