The paper launched in April reviewed 5 outcomes frameworks, including the NHS Outcomes Framework (NHSOF) and The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), with the aim of understanding the technical measure integrity and viability behind each indicator. OBH drew from their clinical, analytics and NHS data experience to capture considerations such as data availability, accuracy and robustness over time.

Whilst publicly available frameworks can be used for a range of purposes including monitoring quality, benchmarking providers against one another and to highlight variation in care provision, the paper argues that these frameworks are less effective when measuring and monitoring outcomes at a local-level. OBH recommends a greater focus on outcomes, a well-defined and locally configured segmentation model, local agreement on outcomes across the health and care system, as well as the use of local linked datasets, across all providers to allow the measurement of true outcomes in near-real time.

The official launch of the paper took place at the NHS Elect event in April on “Reflections on Delivering Integrated Care in the NHS”, where CEO Rupert and Senior Health Outcomes Analyst Ellie presented the findings. The event featured presentations from Centene about their work in the UK, as well as case studies from across the NHS Elect network. The full paper can be found on the Resources page on our website.

In April, CEO Rupert spoke at the Primary Care Commissioning event on “Measuring outcomes in Integrated Services”.

The event covered various themes including population segmentation, outcomes measurement for the currently healthy population, contracts to secure integrated service provision, as well as the financial considerations of implementing integrated services. Delegates included CCG chief officers, directors of commissioning and directors of finance.

Read more here.

We are delighted to announce that in April, CEO Rupert was invited to join the Strategic Advisory Board for the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Longevity, chaired by Lord Filkin.

The APPG aims to address the scientific, technological and socio-economic issues related to the growing ageing demographic to promote living younger, healthier and longer lives, in line with the Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges. The group will facilitate a cross-disciplinary exchange about the advantages of longevity within an ethical, citizen-centred framework, and develop practical guidance and recommendations for the UK government.

At the first Strategic Advisory Board Meeting, Rupert was invited to speak about OBH’s work identifying the ‘currently healthy’ population, and the measurement of outcomes for this specific population group. Whilst health and care systems have generally succeeded in prolonging life in recent years, a whole population, objective, system-level understanding as to whether or not these ‘extra years’ have been lived in good health has yet to be determined. Rupert conveyed the importance of metrics such as HEALTHSPAN and HEALTHY LIFESPAN INDEX in addressing the unsustainable rise of health and care costs. Such metrics are excellent markers of prevention and indicators of progress in achieving several key national targets.