Defining Value-based Healthcare in the NHS
Hurst L., MAHTANI K., PLUDDEMANN A., Lewis S., Harvey K., Briggs A., BOYLAN A., Bajwa R., Haire K., Entwistle A., HANDA A., HENEGHAN C.
Summary ‘Value’ is gaining prominence in healthcare systems facing increased demand for services with limited resources. However, value-based healthcare has not yet been embraced as part of the everyday language and business of the NHS in the way that evidence-based healthcare has. The absence of an agreed definition of ‘value-based healthcare’ in the NHS, the lack of skills required to deliver value-based healthcare and a clear understanding of the barriers to effective development and implementation inhibits the health system in addressing problems such as overdiagnosis, too much medicine, poor allocation of resources and the introduction of inadequately evidenced technologies This report sets out a route to defining value-based healthcare in the NHS, an assessment of the barriers to its development, and an understanding of what skills and training would support implementation. A stakeholder workshop informs the report with patients and leaders across the NHS and value sector.