Report of the High Level Group (HLG) on Clinical Effectiveness

There is variation in clinical practice in the NHS and in the treatments that patients receive. Some of this may be appropriate but patients may also receive treatments which are not very effective or for which there is no evidence. The HLG found that there is much work already being undertaken by a range of organisations and some good examples in local organisations. It also found that there is no ‘single bullet’ to address the issue of clinical effectiveness. This is a complex issue. Staff in the NHS need to be empowered locally to take ownership of the agenda and promote clinically effective practice.

(Published October 2007, 56 pages)

Increasing NHS Efficiency

As the NHS works towards achieving financial balance and meeting targets for service improvement, increasing attention is being given to ways of improving efficiency. The focus on efficiency is likely to sharpen in the period up to and after 2008 when the growth in expenditure is likely to slow following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review.

(Published February 2007)