Clinical governance is a framework for combining a full range of quality activities, building first upon what is already being carried out. It is being implemented in the National Health Service from April 1999. What is it? What will it mean for occupational therapists working not only in health but also in all other sectors?
This paper has been written to explain this new Government initiative and to coincide with the publication of the College of Occupational Therapists' Position Statement on Clinical Governance (COT 1999a). Government policy on quality is explained in brief, along with the responsibilities of occupational therapy practitioners and managers. A table is provided to help therapists clarify what is already in place and what areas need to be addressed.
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