Conference Themes:

The main Forum theme is “Society, Regulators and Health Providers: a clash of expectations?” The conference will examine various issues that this theme raises – for example, what does society, and groups within it such as consumers, think of the system and the care it delivers? What views do regulators and policymakers have, and what do they try to achieve? Service providers may have different perspectives from others. What are these? How do they provide care in light of the views and activities of society and regulators? Overall, how do these three groups differ, and to what extent do their distinguishable views represent a clash of expectations?

The safety and quality of our healthcare services has an increasing profile within the community as well as for the people providing the services and for those responsible for the overall management and direction of the services. Although most groups would aspire to the same goal of safe, quality services, what this means and how to achieve it may be very different from each perspective. In addition, what is the relative contribution of the organisations and individuals who monitor and act on health service performance, to the realisation of that goal?

Theme 1:
Does Society actually know what it expects?

This theme explores the societal expectations for the quality and safety of our health services. There are a number of elements to this theme including perspectives from consumers and consumer groups as well as wider community groups or community members on what their expectations are of the healthcare organisations which service them. Funders (public and private) have a significant influence on the development of health services, and the uptake of quality activities. This group can be seen as representing the expectations of the people who purchase health insurance and can offer valuable insights into different societal expectations.

The role health commentators and media play in reflecting and creating the public perception of health services under pressure for failing to meet safety and quality requirements is to be canvassed. Does this media scrutiny assist or hamper health services in their endeavours to improve services?

Theme 2:
Are Regulators mostly concerned with quality or productivity or financial outcomes or managing the politics?

There are a number of bodies that create the environment in which health services and providers operate from a legislative as well as policy framework. In what ways do the instruments of government impact on the safety and quality of health services? The focus on safety and quality has led to the development of local, national and international bodies influencing health services. Are there some common expectations and goals in this group? Do these institutions, policies, standards and initiatives, both governmental and independent, lead to improved services and how do they impact on the expectations of consumers and other groups?

Increasingly accreditation is viewed as a tool to be used by regulators. The impact of this may be far ranging for accrediting bodies, regulators and the public. How will the wider use of accreditation influence the quality and safety of health services?

Theme 3:
Do Health Providers have expectations of their own or are they mainly concerned with the expectations of others?

Health Providers struggle to meet the multiple expectations of their consumers, their funders, regulators, policymakers and their staff. The need to juggle the competing demands of safety and quality, cost and risk takes the time of health managers and clinicians. What should this group expect from themselves and others in managing these pressures and in producing quality care and services?

Colleges and industry representative bodies are also included in this group. What is their role in enhancing the quality and safety of services? What do they expect from our health services and how do they work with other groups to achieve their aims?

Theme 4:
Do Monitors get in the road of good patient outcomes?

This theme looks at the measurement and monitoring of health services and their performance. There is an increasing amount of data available, some of which is in the public domain, on how health services perform. How is the collection of data on health service performance used, and by whom, to improve services? Whose responsibility is it to ensure the quality and integrity of the data? How can the many sources of data be used to provide an integrated view on our health services? What is the role of academia in monitoring and improving health services?

The creation of Independent bodies to investigate and manage complaints as well as the publication of performance data means the information on the safety and quality of our health services is accessible to many more people than ever before. Has this had an impact on the performance of the health services?