The impact of political interests upon the formulation of performance measurements: the NHS star rating system

This study examines the impact of political interests of the Blair Government on the development of the NHS star rating system. It argues that the use of performance measurements (PMs) is not detached from its political context but influenced by institutional interests including in particular those of the Government. The analysis indicates that the formulation of the specifics of PM, and of performance information within the NHS star rating system, was skewed to reflect the political objectives of the Blair Government. PMs are not merely neutral instruments, but, suffused with institutional interests, serve as a coercive mechanism to impose pressures upon the NHS as well as seeking to create a public perception of performance improvement. This study concludes that PMs in the public sector are influenced by the need to serve the political interests of the Government.