We have created a new Governance Handbook [PLUS]. Like the others in the series, this is a useful, encyclopedic-type document. Split into the four major topics of governance within general practice; Clinical, Corporate, Financial and Information, the handbook covers the full spectrum of governance-related topics with hundreds of useful links that take the reader to the overarching reference or detailed specific policy.

An overview of the chapters are as follows:

1. Clinical

Clinical governance looks at what, as Practice Managers we and our teams should be doing in our roles. This chapter includes several tools that can be used to manage and support your day-to-day requirements.

Amongst other areas, the highlights of this chapter include:

• Audit, quality and effectiveness
• Complaints and candour
• Education, training and supervision
• Patient experience
• Risk and issue management
• Staffing management
• Confidentiality

Furthermore, within this chapter, there is  guidance on how best to utilise these tools to support both regulatory requirements and the organisation’s reputation.

2. Corporate

The Department of Health defined integrated (or corporate) governance as:

“Systems, processes and behaviours by which organisations lead, direct and control their functions in order to achieve organisational objectives, safety and quality of service and in which they relate to patients and carers, the wider community and partner organisations.”

Throughout this chapter, best practice is considered as structures, systems, processes and behaviours to ensure good governance is discussed and includes the following:

• How line managers operate, including codes of conduct and accountability
• Business planning
• Procedural guidance for staff
• Risk register and assurance framework
• Internal audit
• Scrutiny by external assessors including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and other external audits

3. Financial

The core of financial governance regulations, such as Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs), is the requirement that all financial processes should be managed according to a stringent set of rules and regulations, backed up by accurate reporting capabilities.

This large chapter discusses the need for robust processes to be established within the practice. Coupled with the supporting policies, this chapter provides in-depth guidance in areas such as reconciliation, contracts, enhanced services, pay, taxation and pensions, PCSE plus much, much more.

4. Information

Information Governance (IG) supports the provision of high-quality care through the effective and appropriate use of information. It provides a set of rules with which the organisation must comply to maintain comprehensive and accurate records and includes keeping those records confidential and secure.

Specifically, this section looks at:

• How information is collected
• How it is recorded
• How it is then stored
• How it is used (whether for audit, research or performance management)
• On what basis it is shared with others, both inside and outside the organisation

At almost 150 pages, the Governance Handbook is a further addition to the popular handbook family and is now available for PLUS members here. This document, like the other handbooks, will be highly beneficial to any general practice.

Mat