NHS trusts — local delivery plans

< Influencers contents | Print this page

The new planning framework

Delivering the NHS Plan describes the programme of system reform required to deliver core NHS Plan priorities. A key element of the programme was the introduction of a new planning framework for the NHS. From 2003/04 planning at a national and local level was moved to a three-year basis.

Delivering the NHS Plan also announced major changes to the way that money will flow through the NHS, including the introduction of payment linked to results. These changes will have significant implications for all PCTs and NHS trusts and impact on the local delivery plans.

See the DH’s website section on the planning framework from more information.

The NHS improvement plan

The next five-year programme for the NHS was announced by the DH in summer 2004. The NHS improvement plan: putting people at the heart of public services sets out plans for a more personalised health service by 2008 and will hugely impact on the next series of local delivery plans.

The plan is an important document for NHS influencers to study. Also worth examining is National standards, local action: health and social care standards and planning framework 2005/06-2007/08, which translates the NHS improvement plan into targets and standards.