Health improvement and modernisation plans

Originally health improvements programmes, they were renamed because they are, said the Department of Health, “the plan and vision” for the NHS Plan, which seeks to deliver better services through the modernisation of the NHS, as well as tackle the root causes of ill health.

The plans are based on the belief that as well as modernising the NHS structurally, modernisation also needs applying to the way in which services are planned and to include in that key partners like local authorities, local business, voluntary organisations, patients and the public.

Each health authority is obliged to produce HimP to set the strategic framework for improving health, reducing inequalities and offering faster, more responsive services of a consistently high standard.

Each HimP must be underpinned by a comprehensive three year plan which covers both staff and operational development and which has been agreed by all participating organisations.