DS526-25 Clinical Governance

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service provide pre-hospital casualty care as part of their service to the local community. At present, there is no clinical governance in place. A Casualty Care Review Business Case for Clinical Governance, Training and Equipment has been approved and work is underway to implement the recommendations. One recommendation was to outsource Clinical Governance, which prompted the award of this contract.

A summary of the Clinical Governance required is as follows:

• Provision of a Medical Director,
• Review current practices and procedures for any services, equipment and medication relating to casualty care (that sits outside of First Aid at Work),
• Recommend, support and approve changes to ensure pre-hospital care compliance,
• Indemnify the Service against any potential legal claim resulting from any activity approved/signed off by the Medical Director,
• Represent the Service and/or attend as an Expert Witness at formal meetings, including Court proceedings,
• Provide urgent medical advice (as required)

The contract has an initial period of three years, with the option to extend to a maximum of five years.