Menu
23/06/2004
Plans unveiled to cut hospital inspection 'red tape'
The best-performing hospitals could get 'inspection holidays' in a move to free up more time for treating patients, the government has announced today.
NHS Trusts can currently be inspected by more than 30 different bodies, and many more can make visits. New measures announced today to streamline the process in England include: joint inspections to reduce the number of visits hospitals face; fewer and more consistent recommendations from inspection bodies; the possibility of inspection holidays for high-performing NHS Trusts; and schedules of visits to be published in advance so that staff can plan ahead.
Health Minister Lord Warner said the changes will mean "staff spend less time ticking boxes and more time treating patients".
"Inspections are of course necessary in the healthcare sector. They play a key role in ensuring patient safety, delivering value for money and driving improvement. But we need smarter regulation rather than more regulation. Inspecting bodies need to plan visits together," he said.
An inspection 'gateway' will reduce the amount of communication with the NHS and a new hotline will help staff to iron out problems with overlapping inspections.
(gmcg)
NHS Trusts can currently be inspected by more than 30 different bodies, and many more can make visits. New measures announced today to streamline the process in England include: joint inspections to reduce the number of visits hospitals face; fewer and more consistent recommendations from inspection bodies; the possibility of inspection holidays for high-performing NHS Trusts; and schedules of visits to be published in advance so that staff can plan ahead.
Health Minister Lord Warner said the changes will mean "staff spend less time ticking boxes and more time treating patients".
"Inspections are of course necessary in the healthcare sector. They play a key role in ensuring patient safety, delivering value for money and driving improvement. But we need smarter regulation rather than more regulation. Inspecting bodies need to plan visits together," he said.
An inspection 'gateway' will reduce the amount of communication with the NHS and a new hotline will help staff to iron out problems with overlapping inspections.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 October 2012
Report Calls For For-Profit Firms To Run Schools
Profit-making firms should be brought in to run England's persistently failing schools, according to the Prime Minister former policy chief. James O'Shaughnessy report for the Policy Exchange think tank says England "faces a serious educational problem" and that proven education firms should be paid by results to turn such schools around.
Report Calls For For-Profit Firms To Run Schools
Profit-making firms should be brought in to run England's persistently failing schools, according to the Prime Minister former policy chief. James O'Shaughnessy report for the Policy Exchange think tank says England "faces a serious educational problem" and that proven education firms should be paid by results to turn such schools around.
23 August 2010
Fifa In England For 2018 Bid
The Fifa delegation arrived in England today as the country continues the campaign to host the 2018 World Cup. The FIFA Inspection Team are to meet Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in Downing Street before touring Wembley Stadium with England manager Fabio Capello.
Fifa In England For 2018 Bid
The Fifa delegation arrived in England today as the country continues the campaign to host the 2018 World Cup. The FIFA Inspection Team are to meet Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in Downing Street before touring Wembley Stadium with England manager Fabio Capello.
13 January 2004
Childminder inspection reports to be published online
Parents will be able to read childminder inspection reports on the web next year, the education watchdog Ofsted announced today. The reports will come online from April 2005 – the start of Ofsted's next childcare inspection programme. Reports are currently only available by contacting childminders directly.
Childminder inspection reports to be published online
Parents will be able to read childminder inspection reports on the web next year, the education watchdog Ofsted announced today. The reports will come online from April 2005 – the start of Ofsted's next childcare inspection programme. Reports are currently only available by contacting childminders directly.
13 October 2003
'More stringent' GM crops trials to be introduced
Defra announced today that "more stringent conditions" would be applied to future GM crop trials, following the discovery of additional GM material at Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) sites during the summer of last year.
'More stringent' GM crops trials to be introduced
Defra announced today that "more stringent conditions" would be applied to future GM crop trials, following the discovery of additional GM material at Farm Scale Evaluation (FSE) sites during the summer of last year.
10 February 2004
Ofsted proposes 'shorter, more frequent' school inspections
School inspections could be shorter, more frequent and carried out with little notification, according to proposals outlined by the schools' standards watchdog today.
Ofsted proposes 'shorter, more frequent' school inspections
School inspections could be shorter, more frequent and carried out with little notification, according to proposals outlined by the schools' standards watchdog today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Bright spells with a few showers continuing through this evening. Some drier, clearer periods in the early hours, before cloud builds and showers turn more persistent towards dawn. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
