National and Local Clinical Audit Networking Groups
Background
Since audit was established in 1989 a number of networking groups have been established. Over the years many of these groups have disappeared or re-invented themselves and this webpage provides details of some of the best known and most well established groups in the UK. If you are aware of any other networks, please contact the CASC team and we will add details to the website.
National Audit Governance Group (NAGG)
NAGG was established in 2000 and is an expert group of clinical audit professionals. The group meets on a quarterly basis at the Department of Health in London and more information can be found via www.nagg.nhs.uk. The website includes an interactive forum and calendar of forthcoming events relating to clinical audit. The website also includes details of members, NAGG meeting minutes and a range of other useful resources.
South East Clinical Effectiveness Network (SECEN)
South East Clinical Effectiveness Network is a collaborative of professionals working in quality improvement including; clinical audit, effectiveness and governance. The group cover the South East of England but membership is free and not restricted. The SECEN website has a range of useful resources, including active discussion groups and details of SECEN projects. Contact: secen@zoom.co.uk or 0845 127 4142
The Solent and Hampshire Audit Information Network (SHAIN)
SHAIN is open to all clinical audit and governance professionals working in Hampshire and the surrounding areas. The group also has a number of members from Dorset and Wiltshire area and always welcomes new members. There is no cost to becoming a member of SHAIN. The group meets quarterly to discuss audit issues, share audit ideas, training etc. Contact Tracy Rich: tracey.rich@NFPCT.NHS.UK
Clinical Audit Support Network (CASNET)
CASNET covers the former Trent region and membership is open to primary care professionals working in the geographical area covering the East Midlands, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. The group is open to anyone working in clinical audit (NHS or commercial) and meets quarterly to discuss local and national audit issues. The group was formed by former MAGG members and was established in the early 1990’s. Contact: Stephen@clinicalauditsupport.com
Greater Manchester Clinical Audit Network
Formed in February 2007, the Greater Manchester Clinical Audit Network is open to people throughout the region working within NHS clinical audit. Our aims are to develop useful links, share audit tools and good working practices throughout the region. We presently have around thirty members and meet quarterly. Our Terms of Reference state that each Trust involved will in turn, if possible, host the quarterly meetings on an annual basis and where possible a representative from the host Trust will chair the meetings. For more information and to express an interest contact Maggie Fraser. Clinical Audit Lead, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, M6 8HD. E-mail: Maggie.fraser@stft.nhs.uk. Tel: 0161 206 0260
Cumbria and Lancashire Clinical Audit Network (CaLCan)
CaLCan exists to promote the sharing of knowledge, information and effective practice in relation to clinical audit. CaLCan aims to share common clinical audit tools, facilitate benchmarking and regional/cross Trust audits, and promote clinical audit as a key element of healthcare governance/quality frameworks. The network welcomes new members and covers all aspects of the NHS from mental health trusts, ambulance service, acute trust and PCT providers and commissioners. For more details contact Janette Mills via janette.mills@blackpool.nhs.uk
North West Regional Clinical Audit Network Group
The group was established in 2002 with the aim to bring together clinical audit representatives from the local NHS organisations. Current representatives include clinical audit staff from Acute Hospitals, Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and the Ambulance Service. The objectives of the meetings are to discuss any issues pertinent to clinical audit at a local and national level. Meetings are held quarterly and the hosting organisation is responsible for chairing the meeting. For any additional information please contact Tracy Warnock, Clinical Governance Manager at Aintree Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, tracy.warnock@aintree.nhs.uk or Sarah Williams, Clinical Audit Manager at the Royal Liverpool Children’s NHS Trust Alder Hey Hospital, sarah.williams@rlc.nhs.uk.
South West Audit Network (SWANS)
The SWANS broadly cover the former NHS South West Region and exists for the benefit of clinical audit and effectiveness staff. SWANS provides the opportunity for sharing information, ideas, problems and successes and more information can be obtained by visiting the SWANS website which is a sub-section of UBHT’s clinical audit department www.ubht.nhs.uk/ClinicalAudit/SWANS/swans.htm
Mental Health Clinical Audit Group
This group has been established to promote sharing of good practice between audit / effectiveness departments within Mental Health Trusts in the North West, but is open to all in the Mental Health Audit staff in the UK. Benefits of the networking group include opportunities to share common audit tools, facilitate problem solving and benchmark processes. The group meets quarterly.
The National Ambulance Audit Steering Group
The purpose of the national group is: to support and inform the strategic development of clinical audit and quality improvement across ambulance services; increase the capacity, skills and techniques for clinical quality improvement in ambulance services; inform the development of clinical performance indicators for ambulance services, and to seek to actively link clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives with educational programmes for ambulance and pre-hospital services so that the impact of educational interventions on patient care can be measured. Membership is open only to ambulance service clinical audit leads. For more details contact: Rachel.donohoe@lond-amb.nhs.uk
South England Ambulance Clinical Audit Group
The purpose of SEACAG is to foster collaboration between its member trusts, sharing information on audit methodologies and results, and to undertake collaborative clinical audit to enable benchmarking and learning between trusts. Membership is open only to ambulance service clinical audit leads. For more details contact: Rachel.donohoe@lond-amb.nhs.uk