Mental Health Services and Clinical Governance
Mental health services are under increasing pressure. With more people suffering from mental health issues and serious mental illness, some services may struggle to deliver the high quality of care that is required.
At Health Connections Patient Transport Service we work hard to ensure that all our clients receive high standards of care. To do this, we use a Clinical Governance framework. This framework covers activities that help sustain and improve high standards of care. It means that we proactively seek feedback from our clients, we make changes where needed and we continuously support, value and develop our employees. Working to a governance framework ensures we deliver excellent care at the right time, by the right person, in a safe environment.
Clinical Governance covers a wide remit, however, it focuses on at least seven areas in particular. These are known as the “seven pillars”, and are:
1. Risk Management
We have systems to understand, monitor and minimise the risks to our clients and employees. However, if we do make mistakes, we are safe to admit the mistakes so that we can share what we have learnt.
2. Clinical Audit
We use audit to continuously monitor clinical practice.
3. Education, Training and Continuing Personal and Professional Development
We invest in our staff so that they are competent in their jobs and to further develop their skills.
4. Clinical Effectiveness
Everything we do is designed to provide the best outcomes for our clients.
5. Information
The information we hold is always up-to-date and confidential, therefore meeting GDPR rules. This includes information we hold on clients and employees.
6. Client and Carer Experience and Involvement
We consider it essential that we involve our clients in the delivery of the service. By doing this, we encourage feedback and therefore increase quality even further.
7. Staffing and Staff Management
We are constantly reviewing the recruitment of staff. Together with monitoring performance and staff retention.