Nursing & Midwifery Involvement in Clinical Governance

The ONMSD are very pleased that Ms. Maureen Flynn has commenced work (on an interim basis) with Dr. Philip Crowley, National Director of Quality and Patient Safety on the development of systems for clinical governance implementation. Ms. Thora Burgess is the project manager for this initiative.

Background

Corporate, financial and clinical governance are each interconnected. Clinical governance is the system through which HSE service providers are accountable for continuously improving the quality of clinical practice and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in care can flourish. In line with other accountability issues clinical governance is a priority for the HSE. The main elements of clinical governance include:

• leadership and accountability, patient and public involvement, risk management; clinical and research effectiveness; audit, staff management and wellbeing; education training and development and information management.

The amalgamation of initiatives across the Quality and Patient Safety Directorate (QPS) support health service providers in the achievement of effective clinical governance.

Next Steps

A national Steering Group for clinical governance implementation (chaired by Dr. Crowley) and working group (chaired by Maureen Flynn) are currently being established. Senior nurses and midwives will be members of both groups.

For more information contact: Maureen Flynn, National Lead for Clinical Governance Development, Email : Maureena.flynn@hse.ie, Tel: 01 6352344, Thora Burgess, Project Manager, Clinical Governance Development. Email: Thora.burgess@hse.ie, Tel: 01 2744310.