Compiled by Professor Helen Bevan of the NHS Modernisation Agency, the guide distils into a set of 10 key principles the work the Agency has done with hundreds of frontline organisations and thousands of NHS staff over nearly four years. These cover areas of critical importance in service delivery such as the role of day surgery, the management of admissions and discharges, support for patients with long term conditions and the reduction of queues and bottlenecks. Each principle is backed by practical examples, and supported by resources and contacts to help support local implementation.

The 10 High Impact Changes incorporate a number of innovative approaches. They are resolutely patient-centred, seeing an individual’s healthcare not as separate episodes or processes but as a single journey, with clinical interventions integrated with emotional, psychological and material support. The 10 changes are based on hard evidence of what works and takes a ‘systems’ view of patient care – not focussing on different sectors, professions or agencies, but emphasising co-ordination and teamwork between, for example, primary care, mental health services and acute hospitals.

Sir Nigel Crisp said:

"This publication shows us what we have learned. Now we can move on to make sure they are implemented systematically across the NHS. The experience of millions of patients should be transformed, hundreds of thousands of clinician hours, appointments and hospital bed days should be saved, patient waiting should be virtually eliminated, and both staff satisfaction and clinical quality should be significantly improved. "

Senior clinicians and managers with whom she has previewed The 10 High Impact Changes have warmly welcomed Professor Bevan’s work. Already some frontline organisations are putting the changes into practice and reaping the benefits.

Professor Helen Bevan said:

I am delighted by the reception the changes have already had from frontline healthcare professionals. It seems to me that the NHS is more ready than ever to embrace innovative thinking in the drive to improve services and care for patients."