National Clinical Assessment Service

The National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS) is an organisation that works towards the resolution of concerns about professional practice in healthcare settings across the United Kingdom. By providing their expertise to assist healthcare organisations and individuals resolve concerns, the work of NCAS contributes to improved patient safety.

It currently has 70 staff, operating as a division of NHS Resolution.

It can receive up to 1,000 new referrals each year. At any one time NCAS can be dealing with more than 500 active cases, which the service can often manage from referral to resolution.[1]

History

The National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA) was established on 1 April 2001 as a Special Health Authority. It initially operated as a service within England for NHS doctors, although this has been extended by various agreements.[2] It was renamed National Clinical Assessment Service when it merged with the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) in 2005.[3] It transferred out of the NPSA into the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), where it was hosted for a period of one year from 1 April 2012.[4] It joined the NHS LA on 1 April 2013.[5]

Working with regulatory bodies

NCAS work with the regulatory bodies. In December 2011 the General Dental Council announced that it would be using NCAS to obtain advice at an earlier stage when complaints were made about dental professionals.[6] They have an agreement with the General Medical Council which has been in effect since May 2013.[7]

References
  1. "NHS Litigation Authority: Report and accounts 2012/13" (PDF). NHS Litigation Authority. 10 July 2013. p. 32. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  2. Samuels, Nick; Scotland, Alastair (January 2003). "The National Clinical Assessment Authority: a healthy sign of the times". Clinical Medicine. 3 (1): 42–44. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.3-1-42. PMC 4953354.
  3. "News: Director of NCAS, Professor Alastair Scotland, announces his retirement". National Clinical Assessment Service. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  4. "National Clinical Assessment Service to be hosted by NICE". National Clinical Assessment Service. 19 April 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  5. "National Clinical Assessment Service to become part of the NHS Litigation Authority on 1 April 2013". National Clinical Assessment Service. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  6. "Press release: Clinical advice at early stage of investigation of complaints against dental professionals". General Dental Council. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
  7. "Who we work with: Memoranda of understanding: National Clinical Assessment Service". General Medical Council. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
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