Suzanne Robinson et al, Social Science & Medicine, online 20 Sept 2012
- Report of the Nuffield Trust research study (Setting priorities in health: The challenge of clinical commissioning) which investigated local priority-setting activity across five English PCTs, March to November 2012.
- Highlights:
- There has been a shift towards more explicit priority-setting within healthcare, in England.
- There is concern in relation to the instrumental effects and the wider legitimacy of priority-setting activities.
- Decision analysis and evidence are used to pursue both of the above aims.
- Rationing decisions require leadership skills around political astuteness, relationship management and coalition building.
- Priority-setting should be fully embedded in resource allocation, not just a ‘bolt-on’ to the distribution of spare funds.
