Filling the Void

Filling the Void: how real life health information builds better services

In July 2007, Sue Ryder Care launched a new campaign "Filling the Void: how real life health information builds better services" at the House of Commons, attended by national cancer director Mike Richards.

This campaign has revealed:

• Commissioners do not have access to, or do not use properly, the necessary information to commission health and social care services
• There is a failure to implement government guidelines in both palliative and neurological care
• Services are not planned, leaving to fragmented services and unnecessary spot purchasing
• Many people with long term neurological conditions who need residential care are forced to live outside their local area to receive the necessary care
• There is a clear need for more neurological and palliative care services across the UK

Research

Sue Ryder Care's Health Informatics Service conducted research across every Strategic Health Authority and Health Board across the UK, providing comprehensive data on the real needs of individuals and communities for the provision of palliative and neurological care.  This is the first time any research has been carried out of this nature.

The report ‘Filling the Void: how real life health information builds better services' revealed the following:

• When surveyed, 42 per cent of Strategic Health Authorities showed no evidence of having a plan to implement the NSF for Long Term Conditions
• The NICE guidelines on Supportive and Palliative Care is not being universally adopted across the UK
• There is a ‘hidden population' of people living with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease and Stroke.  Local health bodies are unaware of their existence and so are not planning for the care they will need now and in the future.

Impact

The lack of mandatory targets, penalties or funding incentives to encourage commissioners to implement crucial government guidance on palliative and neurological care means that people are not benefiting

The current funding situation for third sector care providers means they have to develop new services at their own risk, as well as making up the shortfalls in statutory funding.  This report provides valuable support to Sue Ryder Care's "We Care: Who Pays"' campaign, demonstrating the added value of third sector care providers and why it is vital that Sue Ryder Care receives the fair cost of the care they provide to commissioners.

Download the report