It is difficult to estimate how much money the NHS in England can save by following a quality and innovation programme set up by the previous Labour government, health economists said at a conference last week. But NHS organisations cannot afford to abandon it, they added.

The quality, innovation, productivity and prevention (QIPP) programme comprises 12 different national work streams, designed to help the NHS do more with less money while still improving quality. The work streams include measures to improve care (such as preventing falls, cutting numbers of infections, and avoiding long term complications) but also innovations in “backroom” functions …