Collaborating for quality: the need to strengthen accountability

Abstract

This paper describes the new approach being taken to quality improvement and assurance in the UK through clinical governance. The purpose is to identify what is required to make clinical governance work. The paper outlines an underlying set of themes within clinical governance and establishes the central role of interprofessional collaboration in achieving policy aims. It discusses the role that new accountabilities may play in supporting the development of clinical governance in secondary care and the need to consider networks of accountability as an effective way of underpinning collaborative effort. It is argued that a strong backbone of accountabilities will help generate the culture of collaborative working that is necessary to achieve clinical governance objectives. The paper highlights three areas where there are weak links in the chain of accountability.