The annual health check 2008/09
This is the fourth year that we have used our risk-based approach to assessment known as the annual health check. This page contains a brief overview of the design of the 2008/09 annual health check, along with links to guidance for trusts to use during the assessment cycle.
Overall design
When developing our assessment framework for the annual health check in 2008/09, our aim has been to maintain stability of approach wherever possible and to build upon the previous three years. The process will continue to be a light touch, and to cross-check trusts' self-assessment of performance against the core standards with the views of local stakeholders and other data.
As in previous years, our key objectives will be to:
- Provide assurance that NHS trusts in England are meeting essential standards of quality and safety for everyone.
- Ensure that NHS trusts are always seeking to improve their services and to provide value for money.
- Bring together information on the quality of NHS healthcare and make it available to patients, the public and NHS staff, including clinicians, so that they can make better informed decisions.
New for 2008/09
Our consultations on our proposed design of the annual health check in 2008/09 included more discussion with clinicians than ever before, particularly with the royal colleges covering doctors, nurses and other health professionals. In 2008/09 we are giving more emphasis to the outcomes of clinical care, by introducing an element of follow-through in our targeted visits to trusts.
Under the legislative framework for the Care Quality Commission, NHS trusts must ensure that the services they provide are of a standard that meets new registration requirements. The annual health check for 2008/09 will therefore assess PCTs' providing and commissioning activities separately.
Assessment of quality of services: information for trusts
Criteria for assessing core standards in 2008/09 - Acute trusts
Criteria for assessing core standards in 2008/09 - Ambulance trusts
Criteria for assessing core standards in 2008/09 - Mental health and learning disability trusts
The document presenting the criteria for assessing core standards in 2008/09 for primary care trusts as providers and commissioners will follow shortly.
2008/09 existing commitments and national priorities
Draft criteria for assessing core standards in provider organisations - Annual health check 2008/09
Draft criteria for assessing core standards for PCTs as commissioning bodies
