4 Ensuring progress
The Performance Assessment Framework for the NHS, published in April 1999, covers six domains of performance: - improving people's health - fair access to services - delivering effective health care - efficiency - the experience of patients and their carers - health outcomes. Each health authority will make an annual performance agreement with its regional office, covering all the key objectives of the health authority for the year, and incorporating the plans set out in the Service and Financial Framework. Annual accountability agreements between each health authority and its primary care groups will contain key targets, objectives and standards for service delivery, consistent with national priorities and the local health improvement programme, embodied in long term service agreements.
