Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee (QSCRRC) Terms of Reference 1. Introduction 1.1 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee (the committee) is established in accordance with NHS Brent s Clinical Commissioning Group s constitution, standing orders and scheme of delegation. 1.2 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee is tasked with providing assurance that the CCG and its committee s and subcommittees have in place the proper processes for monitoring quality, clinical risk, and that research and a robust evidence base are used to drive service improvements. 1.3 These terms of reference set out the membership, remit, responsibilities and reporting arrangements of the Committee and shall have effect as if incorporated into the clinical commissioning group s constitution and standing orders. 2. Membership 2.1 The membership of the Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee is comprised of:- Lay member GP - CCG Member - Chair GP- CCG member LINk/ Healthwatch Head of Governance Director of Quality and Safety (registered nurse) Commissioning Support Service leads for the three key contracts (acute, community services and mental health) Brent CCG QSCR Committee Terms of Reference December 2012 Page 1 of 6
Locality Clinical Representatives Deputy Director and Safeguarding Adults & Children professional Director of Nursing and Governance Director of Public health The COO/Deputy COO 2.2 Local Authority safeguarding lead, leads for commissioning services and prescribing may be invited to attend for specific related agenda items at the discretion of the chair. 2.3 Regular attendance at committee meetings leads to improved engagement and governance. Members are expected to attend all meetings unless there are extenuating circumstances. 2.4 Members should nominate a deputy if they are unable to attend the meeting. In the event that an attendee is unable to attend a meeting, it is their responsibility to ensure that a nominated deputy is properly briefed and empowered to act on their behalf. 2.5 The Chair of the committee shall be the CCG locality clinical director(s) with the lead for safeguarding, quality, safety and clinical risk. 2.6 Frequency of attendance by members and attendees will be reviewed by the Committee Chair at least annually. Administration for the committee will be from the Director of Quality and Safety s team. 3. Secretary 3.1 The CCGs Head of Governance will be the secretary to the committee. 4. Quorum 4.1 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will be quorate with two clinical members, one lay member and one representative from CSU. 5. Frequency and notice of meetings 5.1 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will meet bimonthly and the meeting dates will be set annually. Agenda and papers Brent CCG QSCRR Committee Terms of Reference June 2013 Page 2 of 6
will be circulated 7 working days prior to the meeting. 5.2 Additional meetings may be called with two weeks notice should this be required. 6. Remit and responsibilities of the committee 6.1 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee is authorised through the Scheme of Delegation and Standing Financial Instructions to undertake the range of duties detailed below. 6.2 Act with a view to securing continuous improvement to the quality of services by:- Providing assurance and oversight that the CCG acts in accordance with the CCG s Quality Management and Improvement Policy Monitoring the CCG s achievements and effectiveness with respect to this policy through regular reporting to the CCG s Governing Body Receiving assurance from the CCGE that the CCG has in place the strategic and operational arrangements to act in accordance with the CCG s Quality Management and Improvement Policy Receiving assurance from the CCG Executive Committee that it has operational and strategic arrangements in place to meet the Health and Safety requirements, including duty of care towards anyone working for the CCG and towards visitors. 6.5 Assist and support the CCG Governing Body in its responsibility to improve the quality of primary medical services by supporting NHS Brent CCG members providing primary care services to secure continuous improvement in the quality of primary medical services, with specific focus on: Effectiveness Safety Patient experience Compliance with national clinical guidelines Brent CCG QSCRR Committee Terms of Reference June 2013 Page 3 of 6
Engagement in local clinical audits to improve service outcomes 6.3 Seek assurance that the commissioning strategy for the CCG fully reflects all elements of quality (patient experience, effectiveness and patient safety), keeping in mind that the strategy and response may need to adapt and change to take account of evidence base and research. 6.4 Provide assurance that commissioned services are being delivered in a high quality and safe manner, ensuring that quality sits at the heart of everything the CCG does. 6.6 Oversee and be assured that effective management of risk is in place to manage and address clinical governance issues. 6.7 Provide oversight and assurance of the process and compliance issues concerning serious incidents requiring investigation (SIRIs); being informed of all Never Events and informing the governing body of any escalation or sensitive issues in good time. 6.8 Seek assurance on the performance of NHS organisations in terms of the Care Quality Commission, Monitor and any other relevant regulatory bodies. 6.9 Receive and scrutinise independent investigation reports relating to patient safety issues and agree publication plans. 6.10 Ensure delivery of any remedial actions relating to serious incidents, quality breaches or investigations 6.11 Ensure a clear escalation process, including appropriate trigger points, is in place to enable appropriate engagement of external bodies on areas of concern. 6.12 Have oversight of yearly provider quality accounts 6.13 Ensure effective identification of risk and clear mitigation plans are in place Brent CCG QSCRR Committee Terms of Reference June 2013 Page 4 of 6
6.14 Provide assurance and oversight that the CCG is compliant with its safeguarding duties with regard to adults and children, ensuring effective implementation of safeguarding policies and procedures. 6.15 Responsibility for effective information governance in line with the CCGs policy (in development) 6.16 Receive regular reports of patient experience outcome measures including results of surveys and complaints so that these can inform commissioning actions and decisions. 6.17 Receive regular reports about clinical audits, research and evidence base relevant to health services commissioned by the CCG and ensure that these recommendations inform commissioning actions and decisions. 6.18 Regularly review the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) for clinical risks to ensure that there are clear and effective mitigation plans in place to address identified risks. 7. Relationship with other Committees 7.1 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will report to NHS Brent s CCG Governing Body, who will approve its Terms of Reference and membership. 7.2 The minutes of the Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee shall be formally recorded and presented to the Governing Body at the earliest practicable meeting, either in public or private session as appropriate. The Chair of the Committee shall draw to the attention of the Board any issues that require disclosure to the full board, or require executive action. 7.3 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will report to the Governing Body at least annually on its work. 7.4 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will also report any matters that the group feels would assist the Audit or EDEN committees in carrying out its work. Complaints submitted to the EDEN Brent CCG QSCRR Committee Terms of Reference June 2013 Page 5 of 6
committee will also be submitted to the Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee. These will include the quality of commissioned services and/or results of projects the group has made recommendations on related to additional analysis or managerial review of key areas critical to the CCG achieving its objectives. 7.5 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will expect to receive at least annual reports from the Clinical Quality Groups of each major commissioned service, e.g. mental health, acute and community services. 8. Conduct of the committee 8.1 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will uphold the values of the CCG and the principles of good governance as set out in the CCG s Constitution. 8.2 The Quality, Safety, Clinical Risk and Research Committee will review annually its performance, membership and terms of reference. 9. Freedom of Information Act 2000 9.1 The minutes and papers of this Group are, in the main, classed as public documents. However, where part of the meeting is deemed as being exempt, this will be kept out of the public domain. The exempt information will not be included in the minutes of the meeting which will either state the remainder of this item/this item has been redacted in line with the exemption rules under the FOI Act. 10. Review Date 10.1 These Terms of Reference will be reviewed annually. Brent CCG QSCRR Committee Terms of Reference June 2013 Page 6 of 6