Spotlight on clinical governance in latest health review

The latest review of the Island's health service says action's needed to improve clinical governance systems.

The third in a series of external reports on how patient care standards measure-up against those in England, has just been published.  

Under scrutiny in the latest round - the Mental Health Service, Noble's Hospital and the Community Health Service. 

While citing what it calls 'many examples of achievements and good practice' the West Midlands Quality Review Service says prompt action's needed in several areas.

Clinical governance describes the measures in place across the health service, to ensure patients receive quality care.

In essence, it's a rule book of best practice for areas ranging from the environment a patient's treated in to the way records are kept.

The report raises concerns at a departmental level rather than in specific areas and says greater clarity's needed at a corporate level within the Department of Health and Social Care.   

In response, minister Howard Quayle says he is developing clearer lines of responsibility and accountability in a department which has undergone a 'seismic shift', having been formed in April.

And he's pledged to develop robust and integrated systems of clinical governance. which will focus on 'high quality outcomes'. 

On the positive side, the report says Noble's Hospital has good infection prevention and control while the Service User Network is an asset to the Island's Mental Health Service.

It also praises a 'particularly proactive' approach by the dental and podiatry services to involving patients and carers.