Our governance arrangements are based on an integrated governance model that links financial governance, risk management and clinical and social care governance.
The Trust is responsible for providing high quality care which is safe for patients and clients, visitors and staff. We have systems in place for clinical and social care audit, risk management and incident reporting.
Governance framework
The partnership arrangements between the Northern Health and Social Care Trust and Department of Health explain the overall governance framework within which the Trust operates. This includes the framework through which the necessary assurances are provided to stakeholders. Roles and responsibilities of partners are also outlined.
Read more about the Partnership agreement between Department of Health and Northern Trust (PDF).
Clinical and social care audit and effectiveness
The Trust encourages staff involvement in quality improvement activities which seek to improve patient and client care and outcomes. We will review care and treatment provided on a regular basis to ensure that it is meeting patients’ and clients’ needs and that patients and clients have the best possible outcome and experience from their contact with us.
The team involved in providing your care and treatment may need to review your health or social care records and you may be asked for your views. We will introduce improvements and review these regularly to ensure they are effective.
Risk management
Processes are in place for identifying, analysing and controlling risks with the aim of eliminating or reducing these to an acceptable level and by doing so improve the experience and safety of patients, clients, visitors and staff.
The corporate register of top risks represents the most immediate safety, financial, service and/or threats to the reputation of the Trust, and action being taken is summarised.
Incident reporting
Recording, reporting, managing and learning from incidents is important. All staff in the organisation are responsible for reporting incidents. If an incident occurs which results in harm to a patient, client or visitor a ‘Being Open’ meeting will be offered.
A full and honest explanation will be provided and an apology given.
If you experience an unexpected event or circumstance which resulted in or could have resulted in injury to yourself or loss or damage to your property as a result of your contact with the Trust, or its staff, it is important that you tell us. Similarly, notify us if you have a worry or concern about something which could potentially cause you harm as a result of your contact with us.
The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) is the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland and encouraging improvements in the quality of those services.
Financial governance
The Northern Trust is required to protect the public funds it administers. It may share information provided to it with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds, in order to prevent and detect fraud.
The Comptroller and Auditor General audits the accounts of this Non-Departmental Public Body. The Comptroller and Auditor General is also responsible for carrying out data matching exercises under his powers in Articles 4A to 4G of the Audit and Accountability (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
Data matching involves comparing computer records held by one body against other computer records held by the same or another body to see how far they match. This is usually personal information. Computerised data matching allows potentially fraudulent claims and payments to be identified. Where a match is found it indicates that there is an inconsistency that requires further investigation. No assumption can be made as to whether there is fraud, error or other explanation until an investigation is carried out.
The Comptroller and Auditor General currently requires us to participate in a data matching exercise to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud. We are required to provide particular sets of data to the Comptroller and Auditor General for matching – details are available on the National Ireland Audit Office website.
The use of data by the Comptroller and Auditor General in a data matching exercise is carried out with statutory authority. It does not require the consent of the individuals concerned under the Data Protection Act 1998.
Data matching by the Audit Commission is subject to a Code of Practice. Information is available on the NI Audit Office website.
For further information on the Comptroller and Auditor General’s legal powers and the reasons why he matches particular information, read Level 3 notice also on the Audit office website.
For further information on data matching in the Northern Trust, please contact the Information Governance Department – call 028 2766 1293 or email info.governance@northerntrust.hscni.net.
Medical laboratory standards and accreditation
Our laboratories actively engage with external inspection bodies; they are accredited with UKAS UK ltd, compliant with the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency and licensed by the Human Tissue Authority. The quality of the service provided is assured by participation in National External Quality Assurance Schemes and rigorous internal quality control of all aspects of work.
Find out more about medical laboratory standards and accreditation.