NICE set to introduce 31 new quality standards

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is set to develop 31 new quality standards to mark excellence in patient care.

The new standards, aimed at patients, healthcare professionals, commissioners and service providers, will be in clinical areas including asthma, diabetes in children, epilepsy, nutrition in hospital and safe prescribing. They have been referred to the NICE by the Department of Health and will be developed in collaboration with the NHS and social care professionals.

NICE quality standards are the only social care standards that apply nationally in England. The new standards will add to the four published during 2010 and the nine currently in development and due to be published later this year.

The standards, which are largely based on NICE guidance or other sources accredited by NHS evidence, will play a major role in the new NHS Outcomes Framework. This framework identifies aims and objectives for improving outcomes in the NHS and sets out what this means for patients and healthcare professionals.

Dr Fergus Macbeth, Centre for Clinical Practice Director at NICE said: "This work is central to supporting the government's vision for an NHS focussed on delivering the best possible outcomes for patients, using the very highest standards of evidence-based practice. Therefore we are very pleased to be announcing the next phase of NICE quality standards, which will be used by the NHS as a benchmark for high-quality, cost-effective services."

Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response Training, says: "It is always encouraging to hear that positive steps are being taken to ensure that patients and vulnerable people are receiving the best possible care. At First Response, we agree that one of the best ways to achieve this is by setting a national standard that the sector must then ensure they are living up to. This in turn sets clear standards for training and also indicates to carers which areas they need to focus on for professional development.

We already offer training in many of the key topics, including Asthma Awareness, Diabetes Awareness, Epilepsy Awareness, Prevention of Falls in Care, Nutrition and Healthy Eating, Pressure Care and Safe Handling and Administration of Medicines. First Response can provide a wide and diverse range of training for the care sector, which is mapped to national standards, and we work with organisations to maximise their training and development, offering a range of innovative delivery methods to work with their budget.

For more information about first aid and health and safety training, please call free phone 0800 310 2300 today to speak to one of our advisors.