Devon Partnerships analysed each service’s position against national reference cost and shaped the recovery plan on this early analysis. It developed new ways of working to improve care, minimise risks, improve governance and make financial efficiency savings. This involved analysing demand for services and subsequently developing a capacity plan for projecting the number, location and arrangement of beds at the end of 2006/07 and over the next two financial years.
One of the key achievements was clinical leadership and engagement in applying the concepts and helping the clinicians to use performance and financial information to guide future direction. This was overcome through clinical guidance from the Clinical Cabinet, workshops and detailed one-to-one meetings between finance staff and clinicians.
The Trust achieved financial balance in 2006/07 with savings of £6.5 million and achieved a surplus in 2007/08 with full year savings of over £8 million at this period of the financial recovery plan which totals £12 million over three years. The Trust’s quality of service rating in the Healthcare Commission’s annual health check has risen from ‘fair’ in 2005/06 to ‘excellent’ in 2006/07.
The Trust turned around its financial performance and improved its quality of care through innovative and imaginative use of data, strong clinical engagement and large efficiency gains.