Welcome to the Clinical Audit Support Centre
New CASC video provides further details of our work
The Clinical Audit Support Centre has a reputation for innovation and our podcasting service is now a well-established and popular part of our website. We are delighted to announce that we have now moved beyond audio media by launching Clinical Audit TV. The facility is available on the CASC website and via YouTube. We initially produced a short film looking at the work of Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War. At the start of 2009 we released a short promotional video providing further details of how we operate and some of the organisations that we have been working with over the course of the last 12 months. We will soon be releasing a video looking at the clinical audit process and this will be available during Spring 2009. To access Clinical Audit TV, click here..
Brilliant new course scheduled for 19th January 2009
In 2006 the Chief Medical Officer reported that audit was falling short of its potential and promised new approaches to reinvigorating the profession. CASC embrace the need to explore new ways of working and we have joined forces with author and professional trainer Andy Cope. Andy has an excellent track record of working with organisations and individuals to help them achieve new heights by looking at things differently. Attendees at both Audit 2020 conferences in 2007 and 2008 rated Andy as the top speaker by a considerable margin, so why not come to our event ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’ on 19th January and see how he can help change your mindset towards the way you work in 2009. Click here to find out more about the workshop
Just a lot of hot air? – latest blog now available
Our PCT blogger has written her second instalment entitled “The true wind of change or just a lot of hot air?” The blog makes entertaining listening and asks a number of interesting and serious questions relating to the proposed reinvigoration of clinical audit in the UK. It is a short and snappy podcast and will be of interest to those of you with a remit for clinical audit. The blog brings the total number of podcasts released by CASC to over 20 and more are planned at the start of 2009. To access our podcasc page, click here. If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to record with us, please let us know as we would be interested in developing this in collaboration with you.
Significant Event Audit initiative gains momentum!
The Clinical Audit Support Centre advocate the use of Significant Event Audit as a way of teams reflecting on their practice and using the tool to minimise future problems and errors. Over the last 18 months we have been working closely with the NPSA and Nottingham County tPCT to assess the quality of SEA reports submitted via the QOF process. This initiative has been featured in the Health Service Journal and at a number of recent international healthcare conferences. A re-audit of the initial project has just been carried out by Stephen and Tracy and all PCTs in the East Midlands area are being encouraged to undertake the initial work. If you would like support developing SEA within your organisation or if you require more information on the study we have carried out, please contact us via info@clinicalauditsupport.com. We are also running our popular accredited Significant Event Audit Masterclass on 20th May 2009.
Practice Nurse Conference hits the spot!
The Clinical Audit Support Centre recently organised the 11th Leicestershire-wide Practice Nurse Conference. The event took place at the NSPCC Training Centre on 11th December and proved a great success with over 70 nurses in attendance. Keynote speakers Jane Deville Almond and Martin Davies both recorded an 88%”very good” rating and delegates enjoyed the chance to hear from a wide range of expert speakers. 96% of delegates rated the event as “very good” or “good” and we are already in the process of planning the 12th event, scheduled for September 2009. We would like to thank all speakers, exhibitors and delegates who made the day such an excellent event.
Important news from HQIP!
Since the launch of their updated website at the end of November, the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership have made a number of important announcements. At the start of December HQIP disclosed details of proposed new national audits and on 15th December it was confirmed that HQIP have been granted charitable status by the Charity Commission. HQIP have also recently announced that on 15th January 2009 they will be holding a product procurement day in London. The event will take place at the King’s Fund and feature: HQIP’s vision for clinical audit, the scope for each product and details of the bidding submission process. The event is free and more details on how to book your place can be obtained direct from HQIP.
Do you have an article for the CAT?
The Clinical Audit Support Centre unveiled their new journal, Clinical Audit Today (CAT) on 31st October 2008 and we are eager to gain articles for forthcoming editions. The journal will be published on a quarterly basis and the next issue is scheduled for the start of February 2009 and will include a range of articles, including Martin Ferris’ views on the future of clinical audit. As ever, we are interested in gaining innovative and cutting edge views on the delivery of clinical audit and details on how to submit an article are featured in the first issue. Click here to take a look at Clinical Audit Today.
Request your CASC information pack
CASC have developed a series of promotional materials that provides you with more details of the work that we support. The wallet of information includes a set of six inserts: Introducing CASC, training and accreditation, support and consultancy, sharing best practice, event management and case studies. The materials provide a great overview of how we work with healthcare professionals to improve the care that they deliver and there are a number of excellent case studies that show how our work has enabled organisations and teams to collaborate with us on ventures that have improved care, assured best practice and led saved money. If you would like to receive your copy, please email your name and full postal address to info@clinicalauditsupport.com
Annette Anderson wins i-Pod shuffle as 1,000th ENews subscriber!
We are delighted to announce that Annette Anderson from Homerton Hospital became our 1,000th E News subscriber in November 2008. Her prize, an Ipod shuffle has been sent to her. 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