About the Acute Network
We represent providers from across the country on matters relating to patient flow, elective recovery, urgent and emergency care and other key issues. As a network, we engage with stakeholders and key policy makers and aim to influence the policy and operational environment on behalf of our members.
Our work is centred around the two principles of influencing and improvement, and we respond with agility to the changing policy environment and the role of providers within that context.
We ensure our members' views, their expert knowledge and concerns on the issues that matter most to them are at the centre of the work we do.
We focus on:
Highlighting and communicating the current climate in acute care, particularly where there are barriers to achieving national ambitions and what further support is needed, including in terms of finance and capital.
The government's three shifts – from hospital to community, analogue to digital, and from treatment to prevention, and how these can be practically achieved within current constraints.
Influencing national policymaking and legislation, and providing updates, news, analysis and insights from a strategic perspective about latest developments as they occur.
Identifying, showcasing and spreading good practice across our membership and the wider health and care system. We also work with our media team to tell positive stories about the work of members and where there are opportunities for scaling.
Our priorities for the coming year
Contact us for more information or to get involved in any of the programmes listed.
| When | Area of work and overview |
|---|---|
| March | Bespoke board sessions for acute providers on strategic political and social insights, dilemmas and opportunities, with NHS Confederation chief executive Matthew Taylor. |
| March | Beginning of six-part webinar series on Health Economic Partnerships, to run until August. Sessions on local growth, health on the high-street, the role of trusts as anchor institutions, devolution, working with local partners, and how to quantify your social and economic impact. |
| April | Valuing patient time, a programme providing practical support to help trusts reduce deconditioning for patients in hospital and provide care closer to home for people at end-of-life. |
| April | Targets and performance in acute hospitals: A work programme to better understand the flow and regulation of performance targets in acute hospitals. |
| May | Mental Health and Acute Improvement Collaborative: Bringing mental health and acute providers together, this programme will support effective working across systems to improve care and experience for patients with mental health needs who attend acute A&E services. |
| June | Primary and acute improvement sprints: Building on the success of our Primary and Secondary Care Collaborative, these sprints will focus on reducing bureaucracy across sectors and collectively implementing improvements. |
| June | Operational leadership and administration: With significant cuts and challenges to non-clinical roles – especially administrative roles – we will work with members to raise awareness of the value of these functions as well as the challenges, support and investment needed. |
| July | First Time Chief Executives’ Programme: Designed for senior leaders embarking on their first NHS chief executive role, our programme provides peer support and an opportunity for new executives to discuss key issues and shared challenges. |
| July | Elective recovery – surgery: This research project will take a focused look at the role of innovation and improvement in elective recovery, including the challenges in meeting the ambitious targets of the elective recovery plan, with a particular focus on surgical elective pathways. |
| July | Urgent and emergency care attendance and access: This project will describe and advocate for whole-system actions and collaboration on steps to help reduce unnecessary attendance and access to A&E. |
| August | Winter pressures: Every winter is a significant challenge, yet there are opportunities and support that could reduce this. We will work with members to develop practical solutions and to shape policy. |
| October | Elective recovery – outpatients: We will work with members on outpatient recovery, providing advice and guidance. |
| October | Urgent and emergency care patient flow and bed capacity: Understanding, describing and advocating for whole-system actions and collaboration on steps to improve discharge and early transfer of patients in hospital. |
| November | Empowering patients in decision-making: This project will raise understanding of the progress and impact of empowering patients through providing greater choice and control. |
Supporting improvement
We are always looking for good stories to tell about how the NHS is innovating and improving services for patients. If you have a something to share, please email us.
