The best year ever?
Sue Roulstone Chair Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists
The total number of patients waiting to be admitted to NHS hospitals in England at the end of March 2006 was 784,500; a decrease of 5,200 (0.7%) since the end of February 2006 and a fall of 37,200 (4.5%) since March 2005
The reality is prioritisation
Increasing population
Ageing population
Increasing income
• 1955: £378 • 1975: £1881 • 1995: £12,379
• 2004: £19547
How can the NHS respond?
• More resources? • A market system? • Better technology? • Evidence based practice?
If prioritisation is inevitable, how should we respond?
Is prioritisation ever fair?
• Minimum individual entitlement
• Maximising health gains
Professional judgement and decision making
• Bounded rationality
– availability bias
• Decision analysis and support
– Flow charts and decision trees
• Professionals prefer TIABIM • A cognitive continuum
The cognitive continuum
The best ever future?
• Stakeholder engagement
The best ever future?
• Stakeholder engagement
• Our place in history
The best ever future?
• Stakeholder engagement
• Our place in history • An expert profession
The best year ever?
It’s getting better
Acknowledgements: Brian Petheram, Yvonne Wren, Margaret Miers, Michael Loughlin, James & Katherine’s family, Paul Rowlands, Shirley Cotton, the Beatles - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band