The Clinical Standards Department at the RCP comprises experienced healthcare professionals, researchers and project managers, who work to promote best practice and an evidence-based approach to the delivery of care for the benefit of patients. We offer advice and information on clinical standard setting; measurement through audit, interpretation of results; and support to plan and implement quality improvement.
Our clinical consultancy and support services are delivered on a local, national and international scale, working with clients at all stages to ensure that we are fully aware of their specific needs. Our tailored services include:
Invited service reviews (ISRs)
ISRs may be requested by trusts in relation to a range of issues for which independent advice is sought. Led by our dedicated medical director, the team typically includes consultants from the relevant specialty, nurse specialist and manager, and a member of our Patient and Carer Network is always included. Terms of reference are agreed with the trust prior to the review. The team analyse the situation via interviews, summary feedback is provided at the end of the review, and the full report with recommendations is produced and issued to the Trust. A fee is charged, plus expenses and accommodation costs.
Find out more about invited service reviews
Peer review
The Stroke Peer Review Scheme has been running for four years as a collaboration of the British Association of Stroke Physicians, the Stroke Association and the RCP, to implement good practice and facilitate quality improvement in stroke care in the UK.
Explore the Stroke Peer Review Scheme
For the National COPD Resources and Outcomes Project (NCROP), we worked with respiratory teams across the UK to encourage quality improvement through a programme of reciprocated peer review visits. A follow up survey demonstrated that peer review provides an extremely useful tool for enhancing the relationship between clinicians, managers and commissioners, as well as enhancing clinical leadership.
Guideline development
The RCP has extensive experience of designing and developing clinical evidence-based guidelines to improve both patient care and the health of an organisation’s workforce. We are therefore ideally placed to advise other organisations wanting to set up their own guidelines. We can offer a package of support services, from straightforward guidance to the project management of the entire process, from development through to delivery of guidelines and including all associated administrative, organisational and research facilities.
Quality improvement using national clinical audit
We have extensive experience of managing national clinical audit in a range of conditions. RCP managed audits are widely recognised as being of the highest quality.
Where clinical audit results have highlighted areas of weakness, or processes where improvement is required, we are able to provide the expertise to enable you to remedy the situation. We can offer a range of support services to meet your specific requirements, ranging from guidance on prioritising tasks and developing action planning strategies, to more detailed and customised ‘peer review’ type consultation.
Accreditation consultancy
The RCP now has a dedicated Accreditation Unit, which can offer consultancy support, to include visits for endoscopy and occupational health units that are preparing for accreditation, or that otherwise wish to increase the quality and effectiveness of their service. Consultants will advise on all aspects, including clinical issues, environment, design, decontamination, workforce and patient waiting times.
Find out about accreditation services
International visits
For our international colleagues who want to learn more about the UK healthcare system and its practices, we will organise educational visits. Whatever the organisation’s specific interests or concerns, we can customise the visits, so that delegates meet with the most relevant and knowledgeable people and organisations, including clinicians, specialist societies, healthcare organisations, patient groups and government departments.
Medical record keeping
We also offer support in developing and implementing electronic recording keeping standards, as well as advising on data management and data quality improvement.
