Clinical Governance

Definitions of clinical governance

“A framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment of high excellence in which clinical care will flourish”

A First Class Service – Quality in the new NHS (HSC 1998, 113)

 

Or putting things more simply “Doing things right, to the best of your ability and acting in the best interests of your patients”

Aims of clinical governance

To ensure that
  • The planning and delivery of service take into account patients needs
  • The service delivers a high standard of care
  • Practitioners are appropriately trained and competent
  • Ensure on-going, continuous quality assessment
  • Ensure effective quality improvement processes are in place
  • Identify and act on poor performance.

The process is intended to benefit both patients and practitioners by improving and maintaining standards and quality in all aspects of of the NHS including Optometry.
 

Aspects of clinical governance include

  • Code of Ethics/ Clinical Guidelines
  • Clinical Audit
  • Risk Management
  • Peer Review
  • CET/CPD