CLINICAL EXCELLENCE - DEVELOPING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE INDEPENDENT SECTOR Any mechanism that enables a medical practitioner to provide a better service for his or her patients is welcome. It is our duty to constantly strive towards clinical excellence, using our professional skills to maintain a safe and equitable working environment, as well offering care using the most up to date information and skills available. Most doctors in the independent sector automatically sign up to these ideals, and practice them on a day to day basis. With regulation there is a need to acknowledge this part of our work, placing all that makes our practice excellent under the umbrella of a clinical excellence framework. We need to explore ways of making such a system work, not simply paying lip service to a 'clinical governance' model. The current review of ongoing revalidation by the GMC and the Department of Health, post Dame Janet Smith's report is likely to conclude that accreditation and revalidation will require: Recognised Training Ongoing Medical Education Appraisal Partaking in a Clinical Excellence programme The Clinical Excellence Programme is likely to involve: Education, training, personal and professional development Staffing and staff management Learning lessons from untoward incidents and complaints Clinical risk management Clinical Audit and Effectiveness Patient involvement, feedback etc. 'Core Standards' are the minimum requirements to be met by NHS providers, assessed by the Healthcare Commission. As the HC seeks to 'align' the NHS and independent sectors, we need to be ready to demonstrate that we reach or exceed the Core Standards, so that is clear that they more or less apply to the independent sector as well. The 'Standards for Better Health' are organised into seven domains. Safety Clinical and Cost Effectiveness Governance Patient Focus Accessible and Responsive Care Care Environment and Amenities Public Health The IDF, as the largest body providing dedicated support for the independent practitioner, aims to provide its membership with the means to be revalidated, offering a service through which all aspects of revalidation can be accessed, either on this website or directed to the appropriate site. Over the next two years individual Council members will explore different ways of utilizing a Clinical Excellence Framework in the independent sector, with meetings for GPs and specialists, so that we can explore these ideas and find the best way forward for the IDF and its members. If you are a member please enter the password protected area to find out more about our regulation and revalidation services. If you are not a member and would like to join the IDF, you can click here for an application form CMO Report To view the CMO Report Recommendations PDF please click here To view the CMO Report Comment and Analysis PDF please click here