11.9.2 The Commission for Health Improvement CHI)
This is a statutory body which provides independent scrutiny of local efforts to
improve quality and to help address any serious problems. CH Iis conducting a
rolling programme of external review over every four years to ensure that effective
systems to continuously improve patient care are in place. If a problem is identified
regionally with a particular organisation prior to the planned programme, CH Iwill
make an immediate visit to assess the situation.
The core functions of CH Iare to:
. support, develop and disseminate clinical governance principles;
. independently scrutinise local governance arrangements to support, promote
and deliver high quality services;
. advise on local clinical governance arrangements;
. review the implementation of National Service Frameworks and guidelines
produced by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence;
. identify serious or persistent clinical problems;
. concentrate on clinical issues; however, they will become involved in manage-
ment issues where these are contributing to clinical problems;
. increasingly take on responsibility for overseeing and assisting with external
NHS incident inquiries in England and Wales as appropriate.
The CH Ireview report will be communicated in writing and through a presenta-
tion and discussion with health care providers involved. Once the report has been
agreed and an action plan formulated with the health care provider, a summary
report will be made public by publication and being available on the internet. CHI
will not only highlight areas for improvement but will also identify and share
examples of good practice.
11.9.3 The National Service Framework
The National Service Framework has set national standards and defined service
models for specific service or care groups. It has put in place programmes to
support implementation and established performance measures against which
progress is measured. National Service Frameworks have:
. set national standards and defined service models for a specific service or care
group;
. put in place programmes to support implementation;
. established performance measures against which progress within an agreed
time-scale can be measured.
Frameworks have been developed for cancer, mental health, older people and
cardiology services. The National Priorities Guidance 2000/01±2002/03 covers
the following areas:
. reduction of waiting lists and times;
. prompt and effective emergency care;
. maintaining financial stability;
Clinical Governance 233