Resources

Prof Andrew Wilson walks us through and reflects on some of the clinical governance challenges that emerged and were observed during peak COVID times. What areas were impacted, is there an indication of recovery, and what does it mean for the future of clinical governance? 

In thinking about clinical governance, we must also consider the range of factors that impact the safety and quality of care - whether intrinsic or extrinsic to the person. This will inform our approach to clinical governance in any given situation. Intrinsic factors might relate to the person themselves, such as a disability; extrinsic factors might relate to some external condition, such as homelessness and other aspects of a person’s social circumstances.

The concept of person-centred care in clinical governance includes supporting people in making choices on the basis of their values and preferences within a particular context, founded on their understanding of risk and appetite for it.

Understanding risk and how it applies in any given context is essential when providing informed consent. Therefore, ensuring such understanding is part of our role when delivering any kind of healthcare.

The challenges which COVID-19 presents to clinical governance has required intervention at the government level to promote safe, quality care in the context of a pandemic.

When risk changes, governance of that risk must also change. In addition to proactive, continuous assessment of risks, clinical governance involves planning, implementing and reviewing measures to reduce the risk of harm, and support our duty of care.

Clinical governance has attracted fresh limelight in recent times in the context of a pandemic, intense public scrutiny of our aged care and disability systems, and concomitant acceleration of digital health.

Dr. Diana Badcock, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Director of Clinical Governance at Bendigo Health describes the steps they are taking to encourage a positive workplace culture in a stressful and volatile working environment and why this is important for safe and quality patient care.

Dr. Stephen Warrillow, Director of ICU at Austin Health discusses the level of collaboration it took to get a real-time view of all ICUs to help those responsible for deploying and co-ordinating resources during COVID-19.

Tess Vawser from the Epworth talks through the challenge of implementing a COVID-19 rapid education plan and hospital readiness systems testing across multiple sites.