Welcome to the Clinical Audit Support Centre
Darren Thorne appointed National Lead for Local Quality Improvement
On 12th August 2008, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) announced that Darren Thorne has been appointed national lead for local quality improvement. Darren will be responsible for driving forward the revitalisation of local clinical audit and will report to Robin Burgess (HQIP CEO). As part of his new role, Darren will provide day-to-day management of the quality improvement team and also oversee the development of a library of resources for quality improvement. Darren joins HQIP from Redbridge PCT where he was Assistant Director and over the last 8 years he has been an influential member of the National Audit and Governance Group. To read the news release in full, click here. (Word Format)
More details released in relation to NCAAG
The National Clinical Audit Advisory Group (NCAAG) have released more information relating to their members and initial work. The group met in London for the first time on 28th May and minutes of the meeting are now available on line. In brief the group discussed: existing NCAPOP commitments, plans for the NCAAG website, NCAAG policy issues, scoping reports on new national audits, current clinical audit scoping studies and a draft business plan for NCAPOP. The group have also developed a comprehensive code of practice which provides important details in relation to role of members, declarations of interest, etc. For more information, visit the NCAAG section of the DH website via this link.
Reinvigorating clinical audit – 5 suggestions from CASC!
With Frontline consultants and the Department of Health currently working together to assess clinical audit delivery in the UK, CASC would like to suggest five tips for reinvigorating clinical audit. These are based on our own opinions and from assimilating comments and views that we frequently hear from audit staff and healthcare professionals on our travels. First, get audit professionals more involved in developing national audits – this will undoubtedly enhance their quality. Second, improve clarity at a national level: NCAAG, NAGG, NCAF etc – simplification is the key! Third, those that run surveys and questionnaires must report results back to the audit community in a more timely fashion. Audit professionals often give their views, but rarely gain feedback! Fourth, fresh impetus and more funding needs to be directed towards local audit, not least to prevent the continued migration of skilled staff away from the profession. Fifth and finally, it is essential that the current reinvigoration is successful. Those of us working in audit for 10 years or more have often been promised national databases of audits, more audit funding, etc, only for these to turn into false starts! It is vital that those overseeing and implementing the reinvigoration of clinical audit are: dynamic, inclusive, inspiring, communicative leaders.
Final 20 places for Clinical Audit 2020 conference
There are now just 20 delegate places available for the Clinical Audit Support Centre’s 2020 conference taking place at the National Space Centre on 24th September. This year’s event will feature a number of keynote presentations, including Professor Nick Black (Chair of the new National Clinical Audit Advisory Group) and Robin Burgess (new CEO of the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership). The brilliant Andy Cope will be returning with a 90 minute presentation and we also have speakers confirmed from NICE, as well as members from NCAAG and NAGG in attendance. Places at the conference are fast running out so email info@clinicalauditsupport.com to obtain your booking form. Click here to see the conference programme.
Book now for our accredited training courses
CASC are currently offering a range of accredited courses that will be of interest to healthcare professionals. All courses take place in Leicester and are competitively priced, with group bookings eligible for a 10% discount. Our new Train the Trainer in Clinical Audit course provides professionals with the skills to deliver an introductory clinical audit course and the next available date is 30th October. CASC also offer an advanced clinical audit course and this next takes place on 9th October. In addition, CASC’s Significant Event Audit Masterclass has been developed following collaborative work with the National Patient Safety Agency and will next be held on 18th September. Courses ranges from under £100 to £250 plus VAT. Contact the CASC team for more information.
CASC get MEAN at local reinvigoration event!
The Clinical Audit Support Centre presented on how to effectively involve patients in clinical audit at the recent reinvigoration event that took place in Burton-upon-Trent on 17th July. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Nick Black (NCAAG Chair) and focused on the new national arrangements for clinical audit. As part of his presentation, Professor Black outlined his plans for raising the profile of clinical audit and announced that there will be an event in November to review the delivery of all current national audits – including those not under the NCAPOP banner. He also indicated that there will be gradual progress aiming towards setting up the new National Clinical Audit Forum in Spring 2009. The second half of the day focused on local clinical audit with a range of presentations being delivered by members of the Midlands Effectiveness Audit Network (MEAN). The day was ably chaired by MEAN and NAGG member Robin Sasaru and the presentations from the event can be viewed via the NAGG website.
New blogger provides her views on audit training
Our latest five minute blogcast is now available. The blog has been written by our new blogger who works within clinical audit in a PCT. She has extensive audit and governance experience and is below the age of 35. The blog focuses on the sticky issue of clinical audit training and provides an interesting perspective on the current state of the UK’s clinical audit workforce. In addition, our second new blogger, who works for a Mental Health Trust has some interesting thoughts on the new national arrangements and the current efforts to reinvigorate clinical audit. Both blogcasts are worth a listen and we now have over three hours of audio available with more podcasts on their way. To find out more visit either the podcasc page or iTunes.
Sign up for our E Newsletter
Since we launched our E Newsletter in February 2007, interest in the bi-monthly publication has been exceptional. The newsletter features key information relating to clinical audit and updates on the work of the Clinical Audit Support Centre. Follow this link to sign up for your copy.
Recent publications relating to clinical audit
Since the publication of the Chief Medical Officer’s report Good Doctors, Safer Patients (2006) concluded “clinical audit falls short of its potential” work has begun to reinvigorate clinical audit in the UK. With this in mind, there have been a number of important national documents published relating to clinical audit. Details of the most influential include:
February 2008 – Department of Health update on clinical audit
January 2008 – new arrangements for clinical audit, published by the Department of Health
February 2007 – Trust, Assurance and Safety white paper, published by the Department of Health. Click here to find out more
January 2007 - National Audit Office Report into the delivery of clinical governance in primary care. Click here to find out more