Improving the United Kingdom’s health system: an adaptive model to harness information and evidence

Abstract

The UK and the USA are both grappling with how to overcome the shortcomings of their current healthcare systems. Information technology (IT) is the means by which evidence can be systematically developed, disseminated and applied throughout the system. This chapter presents the four recommendations that create an integrated regimen for improving performance of the United Kingdom's health systems. The first recommendation calls for a national academy of health to provide continuous visible-thought leadership for the health system that can withstand and channel the winds of open political discourse and media hype. The second recommendation calls for a set of principles to guide reform efforts. The third recommendation develops informed leadership through a clinical scholars' programme and a corresponding redesign of the work setting to provide prepared clinician-executives with the time, authority and resources needed to perform their leadership roles. The fourth recommendation establishes an information and knowledge platform as essential to improving the organisation and delivery of care.