The Department of Health took a blasting a few weeks back from the Statistics Commission for lack of clarity, accuracy, objectivity, professionalism, use of simple language and ease of use in its publication of data. And with good reason; much seems about as clear and accessible as mud.
But here’s an attempt to add a bit of clarity to it. A few days of painful number crunching, data extraction and presentation of various DH and government sources across the spectrum of value for money – spending, inputs, outputs, outcomes and productivity – can be found here.
Some measures the NHS can be reasonably proud of; some it certainly won’t be. Has the 82 per cent real terms increase in funding since 1997 really been worth it?