inspection watch

Key developments in the world of inspection and scrutiny across health and social care

The 2004 star ratings will be published on Wednesday 21 July, the Healthcare Commission has announced.The ratings for all English acute, specialist, ambulance, mental health and primary care trusts will be based on methodology developed by the commission's predecessor body, the Commission for Health Improvement.The Healthcare Commission has published all its constructions for how indicators will be measured, including details of the periods of time to be assessed.

Review methods for the older people's national service framework are being tested by the Healthcare Commission in Leeds and West Sussex in order to assess the reviews of how well organisations are meeting the framework's key milestone. Major themes include promoting independence, whole-systems working, leadership and governance and engaging older people and carers.

From 1 July, responsibility for investigating NHS complaints not resolved adequately at local level moves to the Healthcare Commission, which will be giving information on the process to NHS staff, patient groups and other key stakeholders.The aim, says the commission, is to be independent, fair, consistent and timely in handling second-stage complaints.

The Healthcare Commission promises to publish its concordat with other health inspectorates shortly.

Under the recent Health and Social Care Act, the commission was given the task of promoting effective co-ordination between the inspectorates.

West Wiltshire primary care trust urgently needs to tackle infection control, risk management and internal communications, its clinical governance review has warned.The Healthcare Commission warned that the PCT was 'paralysed by financial constraints within the health community'which had hampered service development.Commission chief executive Anna Walker said the PCT also needed to improve leadership across the organisation and work to ensure the involvement of patients, the public and contractors such as GPs, pharmacists, optometrists and dentists.The report said lack of leadership and decision-making had led to an unco-ordinated approach.But the report said staff were committed to providing a high-quality service, and many patients who spoke to the commission were happy with their care.The report also identified notable practice in its midwife led maternity services.

www. healthcarecommission. gov. uk

All service providers will have to consider changes to physical features for premises to overcome barriers to access for disabled people from October this year.'Patient choice, ' says the Disability Rights Commission, 'means providing health services that meet individual needs and preferences.'

www. drc. gov. uk