DoH announces consortium for NCAPOP

The Department of Health (DoH) has announced details of the new consortium that will run the National Clinical Audit and Patient’s Outcomes Programmes (NCAPOP).

A consortium comprised of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, the Royal College of Nursing and the Long Term Conditions Alliance will manage the programme under the title of the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.

The programme was previously managed by the Healthcare Commission (HCC) but has been reformed following calls by the chief medical officer.

In addition, 3.2 million pounds per year is to be allocated to the programme which is to be expanded from a commissioner of clinical audits to include wider support activities.

Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, acknowledged that the HCC had raised standards and transparency of the clinical audit but questioned whether administering clinical audit was an appropriate role for a regulator.

He welcomed the introduction of the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, describing it as an “appropriate step forward”.

“The consortium will understand both the clinical context and implications of the audits thereby maximising the opportunity for real improvement,” Sir Bruce added.

Also this week, the DoH released new statistics showing a big increase in quitters following the introduction of the smoking ban in England last summer.