Clinical Audit 2004 conference

CHI outline plans for audit

CHI outlined future plans for clinical audit at the recent Clinical Audit 2004 conference.  All PCTs will have their clinical audit programme assessed as part of the ongoing clinical governance review (CGR) programme and it should be noted that the results of the CGR will now impact on PCT star ratings.  This is particularly concerning for PCTs, especially when one considers that to date 30% of PCTs have received the lowest grade for audit. CHI (CHAI) will also have responsibility for the national clinical audit programme and national audits are currently being developed.

Several key messages came through from the conference.  These were as follows:

• More emphasis needs to be placed on Interface Audit
• Audits need to focus on local issues and incorporate patient involvement
• Audits should focus on NSFs and NICE guidance
• Pharmacists, Optician and Dentists need to be involved in PCT audit programmes
• Community-based staff need more audit support
• Provision of good quality audit training needs to be addressed
• Dissemination of audit results and sharing of best practice is key 

PCAG have also been informed by the Acting Chief Executive at CHI, Jocelyn Cornwell, that CHI will soon be publishing a report looking at their findings from PCT CGRs to date.  This should make interesting reading and will be available from the CHI website – www.chi.nhs.uk

Meanwhile, the PCAG team exhibited examples of our work at the conference.  There was a great deal of interest from delegates, particularly in relation to our training, community audit support and interface audit programme.