Good score from HCC in annual health check
16 Oct 2008
As a result of our first annual health check by the Healthcare Commission (HCC), NHS Direct has been awarded the performance rating of ‘Good’.
The HCC is the independent watchdog for healthcare in England.
This is an extremely positive outcome for NHS Direct, and we are thrilled to have achieved this in only 4 years as a national organisation, and only 1 year as an NHS trust.
NHS Direct became subject to a HCC inspection in 2007/08, which was the first year that we were required to formally state our compliance with Core Standards.
The core standards are:
- Safety,
- Clinical and cost effectiveness,
- Governance,
- Patient focus,
- Accessible and responsive care,
- Care, environment and amenities, and
- Public health.
During this time, NHS Direct answered 94.5% of calls in just under 1 minute. We also started triage within 20 minutes for 99% of urgent calls. Triage is the process of organising calls according to priority of need, and proper form of treatment.
Good level of compliance
The HCC were pleased with all of the NHS Direct standards that they assessed, and added that this suggested a good level of compliance across all Core Standards.
Over 2007/08, NHS Direct also accomplished all of the key targets set by the Department of Health. But these targets were not taken into account for the HCC performance rating.
In response to the rating, Helen Young, NHS Direct Clinical Advisor, said:
“NHS Direct has developed hugely as an organisation since being brought together as a Special Health Authority in 2004. We are delighted with the rating of ‘Good’ and aim to achieve a rating of ‘Excellent’ for 2008/09 by being compliant with all Core Standards.”
