Better metrics
The term ‘metrics’ refers to measures of performance, such as indicators, targets, or benchmarks, which are used to assess and monitor the quality of care that patients receive in health services. The Healthcare Commission uses a range of metrics as part of its annual health check. Metrics can also help trusts to set local targets and drive improvements in the quality of their services at a local level.
The better metrics project, which began in 2004, aims to improve the way the performance of health services is measured and monitored by:
- developing metrics that are more relevant to the work of doctors, nurses, and others who provide care to patients
- identifying metrics that are already being used successfully by organisations to monitor and improve performance
- sharing metrics with the Connecting for Health programme, as part of the process for developing electronic patient records, to improve routine monitoring of key clinical areas
Better metrics have already been suggested for 13 key health areas including cancer, heart disease and stroke, diabetes and mental health. The full list of metrics is available in this section, along with more detailed information about how the metrics can be used to drive improvement. These metrics have been developed in collaboration with national clinical directors from the Department of Health and their colleagues in strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and other organisations in the NHS.
Find out more about the better metrics project and what it aims to achieve
The metrics
Download the complete better metrics publication or the metrics for a particular aspect of health and healthcare. This section will be revised as new metrics become available or when the existing metrics are updated.
How do we use better metrics?
The Healthcare Commission already uses better metrics as part of its work, including the annual health check.
Better metrics and the Healthcare Commission
Better metrics and the NHS
Find out how the better metrics project fits within the wider planning framework in the NHS, set out in National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/2006.
How does the project fit with the planning framework for the NHS?
Disseminating and implementing better metrics
View the results of research into how better metrics had been disseminated and implemented in NHS organisations by mid-2006.
Evaluating the first year of the project
How can I become involved?
We are keen to hear from services already using the metrics so we can share lessons and learn more about what is proving useful locally, or from anyone who would like to become involved in the project. We also welcome your suggestions and feedback on the metrics.
What happens next?
The better metrics project is a work in progress. We will develop and shape the project to incorporate new metrics, and to reflect the feedback we recieve from clinicians and others involved in healthcare.
Find out how we plan to progress the project in the future
Most reports on this site are PDF files, to view any PDF file you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader.