Introduction
The primary aim of the Royal College of Physicians London is to promote the highest standards of medical practice in order to improve health and healthcare. One way in which we meet this aim is by undertaking Invited Service Reviews (ISR). This process supports physicians and Trust management when they feel the practice of good clinical medicine is compromised, and forms an important method for protecting patient care and ensuring patient safety.
What is an Invited Service Review?
Trust management (Chief Executive or Medical Director), or Fellows and Members of the College may request an Invited Service Review when there is an issue which is proving difficult to resolve, or on which they require independent advice. This may be in respect of:
- Clinical practices
- Service delivery
- Concerns over patient safety
- Clinical team functionality
- Clinical governance
- Technical services
- Workload issues
- Provision of medicine in merging Trusts, or in small/isolated medical units
The RCP has appointed a Medical Director of Invited Service Reviews, Dr John Scarpello, who co-ordinates a team of carefully selected visitors to undertake the review. The visiting team analyse the situation concerning individuals and services via interviews with Trust staff. Summary feedback is provided at the end of the review and a full report, with recommendations, is provided within three months.
An Invited Service Review provides an opportunity for a Trust to deal with problems at an early stage. The College acts independently of other authorities and is able to offer advice and recommendations in an environment of trust.
It is rarely possible to carry out a thorough Invited Service Review in less than two days, and sometimes the review will require three or four days. Please note a fee is charged for each review. The requesting body is also responsible for the payment of the expenses of the visiting team.
How is an Invited Service Review requested?
- Requests or advice concerning the appropriateness of an Invited Service Review should be addressed to Nicole Barlow, Invited Service Review Manager (see contact details below).
- The individual requesting an Invited Service Review should establish early on that the request has the agreement of Trust management, i.e the Medical Director and Chief Executive.
- All relevant information including the reason for the review should be provided. This will then be passed to the Medical Director for Invited Service Reviews, who will contact the requestee by telephone. This initial telephone contact will enable the Medical Director for ISRs to understand the scope of the issue and to give a decision as to whether the College will be able to offer to help. Additional information may be requested.
- Following agreement that an Invited Service Review will take place, further discussions will be held in respect of draft terms of reference, composition of the review team, who to interview and the programme for the review.
For further details please contact:
Sally Mussellwhite
Invited Service Review Manager
Royal College of Physicians
11 St Andrews Place
Regent's Park
London
NW1 4LE
Tel: 020 3075 1527
Email: Sally.Mussellwhite@rcplondon.ac.uk