Latest News
VAT update
As many of you are aware the arrangements for Value Added Tax (VAT) have recently been changed. From 1st December 2008 the government have temporarily reduced VAT from 17.5% to 15%. The new rate will remain in place until 31st December 2009, before reverting back to 17.5% from the start of 2010. The Clinical Audit Support Centre are in the process of altering all course costs and other pricing structures to reflect this change. NHS customers will not be affected greatly by the change as they can reclaim VAT payments.
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.
CASC update webpages
CASC are pleased to announce that we have updated our links and useful resources pages. There have been a number of important changes in relation to clinical audit over summer 2008 and you will now be able to find out more details relating to the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership and the National Clinical Audit Advisory Group by following the relevant links. It is sad to report that both the South East Clinical Effectiveness Network (SECEN) and the Saferhealthcare websites have been closed down, but we have provided new links to useful resources to assist those of you involved in clinical audit work. We have also updated our community section, which gives details of regional audit networks and groups.
HQIP visit CASNET group and provide details of their future plans
Alison Percival (Communications Manager) and Jabeen Haque (Quality Improvement Facilitator) attended the East Midlands CASNET group on 2nd September in Loughborough and outlined HQIP’s future plans. HQIP have a considerable remit and their three main current aims are (1) to manage/develop NCAPOP, (2) provide support for local audit and (3) promote audit to professionals and members of the public. At the meeting, HQIP announced that they plan to become a “one-stop shop” for clinical audit and that their new website will be available in October. HQIP hope to work collaboratively with a wide range of organisations and announced that they will be holding a National Audit Summit in November 2008 and a two-day conference in Birmingham in April 2009. HQIP also announced ambitious plans to become leaders in quality assurance beyond clinical audit and intentions to bid for contracts outside England and Wales. It was also confirmed that HQIP are a not for profit organisation working towards becoming a registered charity.
CASC patient safety work featured in the Health Service Journal
Collaborative work looking at the quality of significant event audits reported via the Quality and Outcomes Framework involving CASC, the National Patient Safety Agency and Nottingham Teaching PCT has been featured in the Health Service Journal. The article focuses on the lack of patient safety incidents reported to the NPSA from general practice and highlights CASC’s innovative research work with Karen Morgan which involved a comprehensive review of 141 SEA reports. The work highlighted important themes in relation to SEA reporting and Ms Morgan commented “there is an opportunity for practices to share from their experiences, to minimise recurrence of ‘familiar’ events”. The article appears on pages 23-24 of the Health Service Journal from 18th September 2008.
HQIP announce latest member of their reinvigoration team
Following the announcement on 12th August that HQIP have appointed Darren Thorne as national lead for quality improvement, it has been revealed that on the 22nd September 2008 Jabeen Haque will be joining Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnerships (HQIP) Local Quality Improvement Team in the role of Quality Improvement Facilitator. Jabeen will support the work towards reinvigorating clinical audit locally. Jabeen has worked within the field of the health and social care for the past ten years, in particular in the NHS for the past six years in the area of clinical governance. Jabeen is also currently studying part-time for an MSc qualification in Risk Management. For more details relating to the work of HQIP visit their website via www.hqip.org.uk
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.
CASC present at North East reinvigoration event
The Clinical Audit Support Centre presented on how to effectively involve patients in clinical audit at the North East’s reinvigoration event that took place near Darlington on 25th June. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Jonathan Potter (Board member of HQIP) and focused on the new national arrangements for clinical audit. As part of his presentation, Dr Potter announced that the average NCAPOP audit currently costs approximately £120,000 per year and he informed those present that the recent HQIP survey has identified mental health as the top ranking priority for NCAPOP. The day was well supported with over 60 local audit and healthcare professionals in attendance. Concerns raised by audience members included the ever-increasing number of national audits that need to be completed and the complexities involved in effectively engaging patients in the clinical audit process. Mike Laker (Medical Advisor to the North East Strategic Health Authority) concluded the event by suggesting that a network should be established for the North East to help further reinvigorate clinical audit across the region.
Important developments relating to clinical audit
There have been a number of important developments relating to clinical audit at a national level. First, Robin Burgess was recently appointed CEO of the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP). Robin officially started work in mid-July and joined HQIP having worked previously in a range of roles relating to Mental Health and addiction services. Robin and HQIP are in the process of building a team to help promote clinical audit both locally and nationally. Second, a number of key surveys have recently been conducted in relation to clinical audit. HQIP have consulted widely in relation to the future prioritisation of national audits and more details can be found via www.hqip.org.uk. In addition, the Department of Health commissioned Frontline consultants to review clinical audit delivery in the UK. As part of this work, those with an interest in clinical audit are invited to complete a short questionnaire, available via survey monkey. Click here to take part.
Views on clinical audit required as part of new DH initiative
Martin Ferris (NAGG chair and NCAAG member) has recently contacted CASC asking us to publicise a new survey on clinical audit that is being carried out by Frontline consultants (in conjunction with the Department of Health). This is an important piece of work and all clinical audit professionals and those with a remit for clinical audit are encouraged to share their views and opinions by contributing to the survey (follow link to survey monkey below). The purpose of the survey is to provide information in response to questions posed by the Department of Health around the organisation and extent of local clinical audit activity. There are 23 questions to answer, looking at a range of areas, including: agenda for change bandings, audit training activity, how audits are planned/reported, links between national and local audit, how audit can be revitalised, recommendations for support from DH, etc. CASC see this as a key undertaking and we would urge all of you with an interest in audit to take 10 minutes to contribute and make your views known to the DH. To access the survey, click here.
CASC present at North East reinvigoration event
The Clinical Audit Support Centre presented on how to effectively involve patients in clinical audit at the North East’s reinvigoration event that took place near Darlington on 25th June. The keynote address was delivered by Dr Jonathan Potter (Board member of HQIP) and focused on the new national arrangements for clinical audit. As part of his presentation, Dr Potter announced that the average NCAPOP audit currently costs approximately £120,000 per year and he informed those present that the recent HQIP survey has identified mental health as the top ranking priority for NCAPOP. The day was well supported with over 60 local audit and healthcare professionals in attendance. Concerns raised by audience members included the ever-increasing number of national audits that need to be completed and the complexities involved in effectively engaging patients in the clinical audit process. Mike Laker (Medical Advisor to the North East Strategic Health Authority) concluded the event by suggesting that a network should be established for the North East to help further reinvigorate clinical audit across the region.
Take part in HQIP’s future prioritisation survey for national audits
HQIP are seeking your help with choosing topics for scoping studies for new clinical audit projects that might start from 2009/10. HQIP invite clinicians, clinical managers and clinical audit staff working in the NHS to contribute via an online survey available via www.hqip.org.uk. The survey allows those taking part to select up to five local priority topics that should be considered for national audit status. The deadline for the survey was initially 14th May 2008, but there have been problems with disseminating details of this work to staff and it was acknowledged at the reinvigoration event in Taunton on 15th May that few audit professionals were aware of the survey. With this in mind, it is encouraging to see that the deadline has been extended, although the final date for online returns is not known. CASC encourage audit staff to familiarise themselves with the work of HQIP and to contribute to the survey, which is very quick to complete.
CASC audit guide featured in Nursing Management
The Clinical Audit Support Centre featured in a recent edition of the Nursing Management journal (Volume 15, Number 1 – April 2008). Tracy and Stephen’s five page article provides nursing staff with a detailed insight into clinical audit and provides useful hints and tips on how to undertake a successful audit project. The article includes full details of the clinical audit process, details of potential topics for audit, an audit scoring grid, ten tips for a successful audit project, plus details of websites that nursing professionals may find helpful when undertaking audit work. The journal is published by the RCN Publishing Company and more information can be obtained by visiting www.nursingmanagement.co.uk
NCAAG members named
The Appointments Commission have recently announced details of who has been appointed to the new National Clinical Audit Advisory Group that is headed by Professor Nick Black. Members are as follows with the relevant posts filled in parenthesis: Mr Mark Gritten (NHS Management), Mr Daniel Keenan (Regulation), Mr Andrew Middleton (Lay), Dr Jan Van der Meulen (Statistics), Mr Martin Ferris (Clinical Audit), Professor Pauline Ong (Research) and Mr Michael Peake (Health Professional). NCAAG are currently looking for members to represent nursing, social care and the voluntary health sector to complete the group. CASC expect more information on NCAAG members to be made available in due course including details of their qualifications and work to date in clinical audit. CASC would like to take this opportunity to wish the group well in the important work that they will be undertaking.
April 2008 signals new changes for clinical audit
On 1st April 2008 guardianship of the National Clinical Audit and Patients Outcome Programme transferred from the Healthcare Commission to the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership. HQIP is led by a consortium of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Royal College of Nursing and the Long-Term Conditions Alliance and more information can be found via www.hqip.org.uk. HQIP are currently looking for a Communications Manager with a starting salary of not less than £35,000. Meanwhile the new National Clinical Audit Advisory Group led by Professor Nick Black is taking shape with six group members now confirmed – see “NCAAG members named” for more details.
North West Regional Audit Group added to Community
April 31st, 2008
Following on from a number of recent conference presentations given by the CASC team highlighting the apparent lack of an active clinical audit community in the UK, we have launched a new section to our website called “Community”. This includes details of national and regional audit networks, advice on sharing your work and details of where to look for audit and governance jobs. The community section also includes access to previous CASC E Newsletters. Community is updated regularly and in March we added details of the North West Regional Audit Group, formed in 2002.
Department of Health announcement on clinical audit
January 31st, 2008
On 31st January 2008, the Department of Health announced a number of new and important arrangements in relation to clinical audit. Following a lengthy procurement process, the management of the National Clinical Audit Programme (NCAPOP) has been awarded to a consortium involving the Royal College of Nursing, Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and the Long Term Conditions Alliance. DH also announced that the new Chair of the National Clinical Audit Advisory Group will be Professor Nick Black. Professor Black has a strong background in research and was elected as the first Chair of the UK Health Services Research Network in 2005. The DH also reiterated that an additional £3.2 million funding per year will be made available for clinical audit, starting in 2007/8. To read the announcement in full, click here.
Deadline for PFBP case studies is now closed
January 30th, 2008
CASC would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have kindly taken time to register audit case study for the new version of Principles for Best Practice in Clinical Audit during the course of 2007. Almost 40 audit projects have been submitted from a wide range of healthcare sectors. We are now in the process of assessing each case study and authors will receive comments by mid-February 2008. The deadline for submissions has now passed (31st December 2007) and therefore we are unable to consider any further submissions received after this date.
Chair’s comments on 2020 event now available!
The Clinical Audit 2020 conference took place on 15th November 2007 at the National Space Centre in Leicester. Louise Hazelwood chaired the event and her summary of the day and thoughts on the conference are now available. Audit 2020 included presentations on the future of clinical audit from the Department of Health, Clinical Governance Support Team and National Audit and Governance Group. Over 80 delegates from across the UK attended the conference and all were able to take part in proceedings using interactive voting keypads. Feedback on the conference has been very positive with over 90% of delegates rating the event “very good or good” overall. More post-conference information will be made available on the CASC website during the coming weeks.
Stephen and Tracy achieve ISQua hat-trick!
October 15th, 2007
For the third year running, Stephen and Tracy have had an abstract accepted for the International Society for Quality in Healthcare conference. Our abstract this year features the innovative online training resource that we have developed in conjunction with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB). Heidi Wright, Head of Quality Improvement at RPSGB will be attending the conference in Boston and presenting the project to delegates.
Meet Stephen and Tracy
September 20th, 2007
The CASC directors will be attending a number of events and conferences over the next few months. We look forward to meeting you at one of the following events: 30th October – Nurse Led Care in Child Health (London), 1st/2nd November - Unite/CPHVA conference (Torquay), 15th November – Clinical Audit 2020 (Leicester) and 5th/6th February 2008 – Clinical Audit and Improvement 2008 (London).
Audit Presentation at RCN Headquarters
On September 18th, Tracy and Stephen gave a short presentation looking at the delivery of effective nurse-led clinical audit to a conference taking place at the Royal College of Nursing in London. Delegates took part in the “Stand up, sit down” quiz and were provided with a step-by-step guide to carrying out an effective audit project. Delegates were also signposted to useful organisations, materials and websites.
CASC deliver workshop on getting the most out of clinical audit
On 13th September 2007, Stephen and Tracy delivered a workshop at the audit conference in Manchester organised by Healthcare Events. The workshop focused on getting the most out of clinical audit and included a range of useful tips. The session also looked at the current problem regarding the lack of a clinical audit community and we encouraged all attendees to join their local audit network and post questions and views on various national and regional forums. Attendees kindly contributed their own hints and tips for effective clinical audit and all delegates who supplied their contact details have been sent feedback.
CASC sponsor Clinical Audit Support Network meeting
On 26th June the Clinical Audit Support Centre hosted a meeting organised by the Clinical Audit Support Network. CASNET group has existed since the early 1990’s and operates as a networking forum for audit staff working across former Trent region. Attendance at the meeting was good with staff from Derby, Doncaster, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham and Rotherham in attendance. Many issues were discussed and the group agreed to re-convene again in September when terms of reference will be reviewed. Any staff working in clinical audit that are situated in the corridor between Northampton and Doncaster who would like more information about the group can contact info@clinicalauditsupport.com and we will put you in touch with your nearest CASNET member.
10th Leicestershire Nurse Conference proves great success!
On 24th May 2007, the Clinical Audit Support Centre hosted the 10th Leicestershire Practice Nurse Conference. The event took place at the NSPCC training centre and proved popular with over 80 delegates in attendance. Keynote speakers included Lynn Young from the RCN and Sue Cross, National Project Manager for the Working in Partnership Programme. Overall, the event evaluated extremely highly and delegates particularly enjoyed the presentations from Jyoti Dhar and Brenda Sutherland. Delegates also appreciated the opportunity to ask questions of the local PCT Chief Executives and were unanimous in the praise for the efforts of chair, Pat Upsall. A donation of £100 was made by CASC on behalf of all nurses, presenters and exhibitors to Rainbows Children’s Hospice in Loughborough.
All places at the forthcoming Leicestershire Nurse Conference have now been taken
May 16th, 2007
The 10th annual Leicestershire Practice Nurse Conference takes place on 24th May 2007. The Clinical Audit Support Centre are facilitating the event and we are delighted to announce that the conference is full.
A copy of the programme has been sent to all delegates and local nurses will doubtless be looking forward to presentations from the two Leicestershire PCT Chief Executives, Lynn Young from the RCN and Sue Cross, National Project Manager for the Working in Partnership Programme.
CASC organising annual Leicestershire Practice Nurse Conference
April 16th, 2007Full details of the programme for the Leicestershire Practice Nurse Conference are now from the Clinical Audit Support Centre. This year the event is celebrating its 10th anniversary and takes place at the NSPCC Training Centre on 24th May 2007.
As always the event is a mix of local and national speakers and this year we are delighted to welcome Lynn Young from the Royal College of Nursing and Sue Cross, National Project Manager for the Working in Partnership Programme. Both Leicestershire PCT Chief Executives will be addressing the conference in the morning and there are a range of presentations planned throughout the day. The day will also include a large exhibition of commercial sponsors and local support networks and service providers.
Places at the conference are proving popular and only 20 delegate places now remain, so please contact the CASC team if you would like to reserve your place.
Abstract request for Clinical Audit 2008
March 30th, 2007
Healthcare Events are looking for abstracts for their 9th annual clinical audit conference – Clinical Audit and Improvement 2008. The event will take place on 5-6th February 2008 in London. You can find out more via the Healthcare Events website; www.healthcare-events.co.uk. Successful applicants for the poster display will receive 25% discount on places and successful abstracts for oral presentations will receive a free delegate place. The deadline for submissions is 5th April 2007.
Nationally accredited training now available from CASC
February 1st, 2007
The Clinical Audit Support Centre are an approved provider for the National Open College Network (NOCN). The NOCN accredit organisations and training courses for adult learners and they rigorously assess the work of training providers to ensure that key criteria are met. By working in partnership with the NOCN, staff from the Clinical Audit Support Centre have developed a number of new courses available to all healthcare professionals. All courses are delivered by experienced and qualified audit professionals and you will find that our training courses are theoretically sound, practical and fun! For more information on the courses that we offer, follow the links below –
- Introduction to Clinical Audit
- Advanced Clinical Audit
- Clinical Audit Skills Distance Learning
- Introduction to Significant Event Audit
CASC exhibit and present at Clinical Audit 2007
January 30th, 2007
The Clinical Audit Support Centre exhibited at the Clinical Audit national conference in London from 6-7 February. Materials and resources were well received and there was particular interest from delegates in our accredited training courses.
Tracy and Stephen delivered a workshop on clinical audit training and Stephen also participated in a lively debate on the value of national audits - which ended in a tie!
John Calvert from Northamptonshire (pictured with Tracy) won the CASC prize draw and attended the event courtesy of the Clinical Audit Support Centre.
Views on national audits requested
January 8th, 2007A number of views have already been received and these are available here.
Plaudits for the Clinical Audit Support Centre
December 8th, 2006Since opening for business in September, the Clinical Audit Support Centre have delivered a wide range of presentations at national conferences and local events. Our involvement in the Yorkshire Clinical Effectiveness conference was well received and feedback from delegates was excellent. Comments included "Stephen and Tracy – very educational and entertaining", "Stephen and Tracy were great" and "I enjoyed the session, it lightened the tone".
In addition to the Yorkshire conference in Harrogate, Stephen also delivered a presentation at the Clinical Audit Conference in Manchester on the delivery of clinical audit training and this gained very positive feedback from attendees. Stephen and Tracy have also facilitated short sessions at the Community Practitioner and Health Visitors Association conference and the National Blood Service/UK Transplant Audit and Research conference - all sessions were well received by delegates.
CASC exhibit at International Healthcare conference
October 26th, 2006
The Clinical Audit Support Centre announced their intentions to deliver clinical audit and quality assurance expertise on a wider scale by exhibiting at the International Society for Quality in Healthcare conference in London from 22-25th October. The conference proved a success with delegates from over 60 countries finding out more about the work we facilitate and our accredited training courses. Next year’s event takes place in Boston and more information can be obtained via the ISQua website
Audit workshops for CPHVA delegates
October 21st, 2006
On the 19th and 20th October, Stephen and Tracy attended the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association conference in Harrogate and facilitated two clinical audit training sessions for delegates. Both were well received and included a mixture of audit theory, practical examples and fun games – including the new “Clinical Audit Box Game” inspired by the hit Channel 4 quiz show “Deal or No Deal”.
CASC featured in Health Service Journal
October 14th, 2006The Clinical Audit Support Centre have been featured in the 12th October edition of the Health Service Journal. Stuart Shepherd’s excellent article provides a thorough insight into why Stephen and Tracy decided to leave the NHS and set up their own business.
Meet the team
October 4th, 2006The Clinical Audit Support Centre will be attending a number of conferences and events during Autumn 2006. Stephen and Tracy are delivering keynote presentations, whilst also exhibiting posters and materials. Each event provides a great opportunity for you to meet with us and find out more about our work. Details are as follows –
19 and 20th October 2006
Community Practitioner and Health Visitors Conference
Harrogate
Click here for more information
23rd to 25th October 2006
International Society for Quality in Healthcare Conference
Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London
Click here for more information
7th November 2006
NBS and UKT Clinical Audit and Research Conference
Manchester University
Click here for more information
9th November 2006
Yorkshire Clinical Effectiveness Conference
Cedar Court Hotel, Harrogate
For more information contact Brenda Simpson via BRENDA.SIMPSON@hdft.nhs.uk
Tracy graduates from University of Birmingham
September 1st, 2006
Tracy recently completed her Masters degree at Birmingham University in Managing Quality in Healthcare. Her graduation took place on 7th July and her dissertation focused on an aspect of healthcare that is of particular interest to Tracy - Patient Involvement in Clinical Audit.