NHS League Tables: A Return to the Past?

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is praising the new league tables used to judge all 205 NHS trusts in England. They call it a “landmark” moment,a “pioneering new system,” and “a new era of openness.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting believes exposing poor care is the best way to improve it, stating that “sunlight is the best disinfectant.”

However, this isn’t entirely new. Tony BlairS Labor government introduced a similar system – “star ratings” – in 2000 as part of its NHS plan. Siva Anandaciva, director of policy at the King’s Fund, describes these ratings as consumer-friendly, much like those used for hotels.

The goals then mirror those of today’s league tables: to increase transparency about NHS care, hold NHS managers accountable, and reduce variations in care quality, including treatment waiting times.

Interestingly, Alan Milburn served as the health secretary in 2000. Today, he’s the DHSC’s lead non-executive director and Streeting’s chief advisor.This highlights the similarities in tactics used by both ministers to address challenges within the NHS.

“From the start, NHS league tables and star ratings were embroiled in controversy,” recalls Anandaciva. “No one could fault the desire for greater transparency. But the ratings were right