Engage independent contractors, NAO tells PCTs
Primary care trusts should develop a strategy for engaging independent contractors in the clinical governance agenda, according to a report
published this week by the National Audit Office.
Through surveys of PCT and front-line staff (including pharmacists) the
NAO examines progress in implementing clinical governance in PCTs before
their reconfiguration and makes recommendations on how quality and safety
can be embedded in the new PCTs.
The report says that, although independent contractors, such as pharmacists
and GPs, have clinical governance processes and structures in place,
these are not as extensive as at PCT level, tending to concentrate on
aspects of governance such as complaints, incident reporting, performance
evaluation and appraisals. It adds that contractors believe that they
receive only limited support from the PCT in helping them embed clinical
governance.
For the implementation of clinical governance to deliver sustained and
tangible benefits to patients, the NAO recommends that PCTs maintain
and build effective relationships with independent contractors. It also
says that PCTs should require all providers to have an active incident
reporting system and that PCT staff should develop skills in benchmarking
of commissioning, leadership and training staff in multidisciplinary
clinical audit. |
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