It can be difficult to distinguish between research, clinical audit and quality improvement projects, so we hope the information below helps.

Research

Research is designed and conducted to generate new knowledge and should follow the systems for approval of NHS Research.

You can find more useful information about this at this Health Research Authority webpage http://www.hra-decisiontools.org.uk/research/

If you are considering starting a Research Project please visit the Trust’s Research and Development page on Trustnet

Alternatively contact:

contact.noclor@nhs.net

Clinical Audit

Clinical audit is a way to find out if healthcare is being provided in line with standards and let’s care providers and patients know where their service is doing well, and where there could be improvements.

Audit is designed to answer the question "Does this service reach a predetermined standard?"

To find out more about the National Audit Programme and Clinical Outcome Reviews CNWL are participating in contact:

David Jones (Clinical Effectiveness Manager, Quality Directorate)

Email :  david.jones19@nhs.net

If you are considering starting a local Clinical Audit Project please contact:

Emma Johnson (Head of Quality Governance, Diggory Division)

http://trustnet.cnwluk.local/divisions/diggory/Pages/Diggory-Quality-Governance.aspx

Tola Phillips (Head of Governance, Goodall Division)

http://trustnet.cnwluk.local/divisions/goodall/Pages/Goodall-Quality-Governance-.aspx

Lorianne Martin (Head of Governance, Jameson Division)

Quality Improvement

Quality improvement is the use of methods and tools to try to continuously improve quality of care and outcomes for patients. One of the core methods used to achieve this is the Model for Improvement.

If you are considering starting a QI Project please contact us.