Prices for NHS services can change by 10% every year, finds study

This report, prepared by PWC on behalf of Moniter, is long overdue and highlights areas which have been recognised for many years.

It is however somewhat disquieting that an entire series of 18 articles investigating the multiple limitations of the HRG tariff have not been referenced in the report (1-18).

These articles highlight (among other issues) the unacknowledged role of economy of scale in costs and the pivotal role which the specialty of care plays in the huge range in costs which are seen within each HRG.

A major opportunity has been lost by what appears to be the failure to do a comprehensive literature search.

References

1. Jones R (2008) Limitations of the HRG tariff: excess bed days. British Journal of Healthcare Management 14(8): 354-355.
2. Jones R (2008) Limitations of the HRG tariff: day cases. British Journal of Healthcare Management 14(9): 402-404.
3. Jones R (2008) A case of the emperor’s new clothes? British Journal of Healthcare Management 14(10): 460-461.
4. Jones R (2008) Limitations of the HRG tariff: the trim point. British Journal of Healthcare Management 14(11): 510-513.
5. Jones R (2008) Costing orthopaedic interventions. British Journal of Healthcare Management 14(12): 539-547
6. Jones R (2009) Limitations of the HRG tariff: efficiency. British Journal of Healthcare Management 15(1): 40-43.
7. Jones R (2009) Limitations of the HRG tariff: the RCI. British Journal of Healthcare Management 15(2): 92-95.
8. Jones R (2009) Limitations of the HRG tariff: local adjustments. British Journal of Healthcare Management 15(3): 144-147
9. Jones R (2010) A maximum price tariff. British Journal of Healthcare Management 16 (3): 146-147.
10. Jones R (2010) Nature of health care costs and the HRG tariff. British Journal of Healthcare Management 16(9): 451-452.
11. Jones R (2010) Emergency assessment tariff: lessons learned. British Journal of Healthcare Management 16(12): 574-583.
12. Jones R (2010) High efficiency or unfair financial gain? British Journal of Healthcare Management 16(12): 585-586.
13. Jones R (2011) Impact of the A&E targets in England. British Journal of Healthcare Management 17(1): 16-22.
14. Jones R (2011) Costs of paediatric assessment. British Journal of Healthcare Management 17(2): 57-63.
15. Jones R (2011) Is the short stay emergency tariff a valid currency? British Journal of Healthcare Management 17(10): 496-497.
16. Jones R (2011) Limitations of the HRG tariff: gross errors. British Journal of Healthcare Management 17(11): 556-557.
17. Jones R (2011) Limitations of the HRG tariff: gross errors. British Journal of Healthcare Management 17(12): 608-609
18. Jones R (2012) Is the Health Resource Group (HRG) tariff fit for purpose? British Journal of Healthcare Management 18(1): 52-53.