A dynamic programme of quality improvement initiatives that will support the occupational health (OH) specialty to benchmark and improve its practice is now open. The programme includes national clinical audits of conditions commonly encountered by OH clinicians (back pain, and depression associated with long-term sickness absence). This programme supports the implementation of evidence-based best practice and the delivery of high-quality OH care. In addition the programme will benefit patients (workers) in all employment sectors including the NHS, other public sectors and the private sector.
Building on five years of successful clinical audit and implementation activities within the NHS, the quality improvement programme is being extended to all OH providers and clinicians across the UK.
The programme is managed by the Health and Work Development Unit (HWDU), a partnership between the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), which supports OH services and clinicians to measure and improve their practice.
Dr Sian Williams, Clinical Director, HWDU urges OH physicians to take up the challenge
We are placing great emphasis on acting on audit results; something that historically clinicians in all specialties have been less good at. We look forward to working with colleagues to raise the quality, and profile, of OH through this new programme.
Dr David Flower, Responsible Officer, FOM describes how participation can contribute towards revalidation
I welcome this expanded national OH quality improvement programme from our Health and Work Development Unit. Both the clinical and record keeping audits and the patient experience survey will support OH doctors to comply with aspects of all four of the GMC core domains of Good Medical Practice. This programme will provide great support for our members who wish to measure, improve and benchmark their practice, and receive help in providing evidence for their annual appraisals and revalidation.
Further information is available on the RCP website.
To register email hwdu@rcplondon.ac.uk
For interviews with Dr Williams or Dr Flower, please contact Hannah Bristow, Clinical Standards communications officer, on +44 (0)20 3075 1447 / 07584 303 784 or email Hannah.Bristow@rcplondon.ac.uk