Update from our RCS England Invited Review Oversight Group Representative

22 August 2024 (Last updated: 22 Aug 2024 16:37)

I took up this position towards the end of 2023 and my main responsibilities are approving new invited review requests, recommending appropriate reviewers and quality assuring draft review reports. 

Invited reviews are a rare but important function of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, providing a confidential but robust mechanism for service reviews on request. Between 2018 and 2023 there have been 154 pan-specialty reviews for 90 healthcare organisations across the UK, Irish Republic and Channel Islands. These can range from a full-service review through to individual and/or single case review.

The overriding driver is to protect patient safety and ensure the highest standards of care, but through this mechanism organisations can receive confidential, impartial and expert peer-led recommendations to address concerns and instigate changes. From the work of the group that I have seen during my limited time in post, there certainly seems to be a focus on local resolution and systemic/structural interventions rather than attempts to blame individuals working in suboptimal pathways.

Despite the varied nature of the reviews, continuity of care between teams, communication and MDT documentation are frequent areas highlighted for improvement. The feedback received from clinicians employed in organisations under review are continually monitored; comments around the professionalism and conduct of the investigators and timely release of review reports are regular highlights. The provision of additional support for anyone adversely affected by the review process itself is currently a particular focus for the group.

Thanks to those ENT UK members who have contributed their time to this important work.

 

Jason Fleming ENT UK Representative RCS England Invited Review Oversight Group