Objective seven - Inspections are transparent and accountable
Objective 7 is underpinned by 4 practices that promote the development of approaches to conducting inspections that are clear and fair, by:
- publishing methodologies
- making draft findings available to individual bodies
- providing opportunities for bodies to make complaints and appeals
- making published findings widely available
Practice 7.1: Published standards and methodology
Inspecting bodies publish clear methodologies, including evidence, value-based assessments and statistical tools that are used to reach conclusions. Subject to any statutory changes, revisions to standards and/or criteria are published in advance and time scales given for consultation and implementation.
Practice 7.2: Draft findings
Inspected bodies are normally provided with draft findings in advance of publication and have the opportunity to comment on factual accuracy.
Practice 7.3: Complaints and appeals process
Inspecting bodies publicise processes for handling complaints and appeals.
Practice 7.4: Publishing findings
Where inspecting bodies publish their findings, they do so in ways that are accessible to those affected by them, as well as to the wider public. Publication is timely and other relevant inspecting bodies are informed in advance of the timetable. Reports and/or summaries of findings are in plain language and, as necessary, in a range of formats and relevant languages to meet diverse needs. The impact on service users is identified. In certain circumstances (eg to preserve patient confidentiality or to allow for due legal process) findings may be fed back in confidence to those providing healthcare.
