Clinical governance is defined by the Department of Health (DoH) as:

"A framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care, by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish."

This definition gives a good indication of what clinical governance is about. It says what all NHS organisations and workers are accountable for continuous quality improvement and safeguarding high standards of care. It also says how this should be done creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish. There are four main elements to clinical governance:

  1. Clear lines of responsibility and accountability for the overall quality of clinical care
  2. Clear policies and procedures aimed at managing risks
  3. Procedures for all professional groups to identify and remedy poor performance
  4. A comprehensive programme of quality improvement activities including:
    • Clinical guidelines / Evidence-based practice
    • Continuing Professional Development / Life long learning
    • Clinical Audit
    • Effective monitoring of clinical care
    • Research and development
    • Caldicott principles

All of the policy documents that relate to Clinical Governance are kept in the main "Policy" area.