Clinical Governance Policy

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Clinical Governance Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this Clinical Governance Policy is to ensure the highest standards of patient care, safety, and clinical excellence within One Health Medical Services. This policy outlines the framework for maintaining and improving the quality of healthcare services through accountability, risk management, evidence-based practices, and a culture of continuous improvemen

Scope

The purpose of this Clinical Governance Policy is to ensure the highest standards of patient care, safety, and clinical excellence within One Health Medical Services. This policy outlines the framework for maintaining and improving the quality of healthcare services through accountability, risk management, evidence-based practices, and a culture of continuous improvemen

Principles of Clinical Governance

  • Professional StaffAll services provided should prioritize the dignity, preferences, and values of patients and their families
  • Patient-Centered CareClinical practices must minimize risks and avoid harm to patients by ensuring safe, effective, and timely care.
  • SafetyClinicians and staff are accountable for their actions and are expected to adhere to professional standards and clinic policies
  • AccountabilityThe clinic will continually evaluate and improve its practices through audit, feedback, and implementation of evidence-based medicine
  • Continuous ImprovementAll staff are encouraged to report concerns and incidents, ensuring transparency in addressing issues that affect patient safety

Clinical Governance Framewor

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Clinical Effectiveness

  • Use of evidence-based guidelines and protocols to ensure the highest quality of care.
  • Regular clinical audits to monitor adherence to these standards.
  • Benchmarking against national or local healthcare standards to assess performance.
  • Continuous professional development to keep clinical staff updated with the latest healthcare practices.

Patient Safety

  • A systematic approach to managing and reducing risks, including infection control, medication safety, and incident reporting.
  • Root cause analysis for adverse events or near-misses to identify preventive measures.
  • Development of safety protocols for managing medical emergencies, equipment maintenance, and environmental hazards.

Risk Management

  • Identification, assessment, and mitigation of clinical and non-clinical risks.
  • Implementation of a risk register to document, monitor, and address risks.
  • Regular review of risk management practices, including proactive strategies to reduce potential risks to patient care.

Patient and Public Involvement

  • Engage patients in decision-making regarding their care, offering clear communication and respecting their preferences.
  • Use patient feedback (surveys, complaints, compliments) to inform improvements in service delivery.
  • Involve the local community in governance processes where appropriate, ensuring that the clinic meets the needs of the population served.

Staff Development and Education

  • Continuous education and training programs for clinical and administrative staff.
  • Regular appraisals and peer reviews to assess performance and identify areas for development.
  • Support for multidisciplinary teamwork to enhance collaboration and improve patient outcomes.

Clinical Leadership and Accountability

  • Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for clinical and managerial leadership within the clinic.
  • Clinical leads are responsible for maintaining the quality of care and ensuring the implementation of this policy.
  • Regular reporting on clinical governance activities to the clinic’s board or oversight body.

Roles and Responsibilities

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Clinic Leadership

Ensures the development and implementation of clinical governance structures.

Allocates necessary resources for the improvement of clinical services.

Monitors clinic performance and addresses issues related to clinical quality and safety.

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Healthcare Professionals

Provide care in accordance with established clinical guidelines, ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

Report incidents, concerns, or risks promptly to senior staff.

Participate in continuous professional development activities.

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Administrative Staff

Support the implementation of clinical governance policies by maintaining accurate patient records, scheduling follow-up visits, and ensuring smooth clinic operations.

Assist in patient feedback collection and help monitor patient satisfaction.

Incident Reporting and Management

  • All staff are required to report incidents, near-misses, and any other safety concerns using the clinic's incident reporting system.
  • The clinic will undertake root cause analyses of reported incidents, develop action plans to prevent recurrence, and monitor outcomes.

Clinical Audits

  • Regular clinical audits will be conducted to assess compliance with guidelines, treatment outcomes, and patient satisfaction.
  • Audit results will be used to identify areas for improvement and to implement corrective actions.

Complaints and Feedback

  • Patients and their families are encouraged to provide feedback on the quality of care they receive.
  • A formal complaints procedure will be in place to address concerns raised by patients in a timely and transparent manner.
  • Complaints will be reviewed regularly, and findings will be used to improve services.

Review and Monitoring

    This policy will be reviewed annually, or more frequently if necessary, to ensure it remains aligned with current legislation, best practice guidelines, and the evolving needs of the clinic.

    Compliance

      All staff members must adhere to this policy. Non-compliance may Fresult in disciplinary action, depending on the severity of the breach.

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      This clinical governance policy sets out the framework through which One Health Medical Services ensures the quality and safety of its services, aiming to deliver consistent, patient-centered care.