Over the years healthcare regulation has increased and organisations experience burden as assessments are duplicated and the same or similar information is requested from different sources. The concordat has gone some way to improve co-ordination and collaboration but significant burdens remain. The provider advisory group is working to influence this agenda to ensure a more appropriate streamlined approach and to influence the philosophy and culture of regulation and data collection.

Key work areas include

• Evidence gathering to identify duplications between key regulators (NHS LA, Healthcare Commission, Audit Commission) and on specific areas including information governance and patient safety.
• Piloting what information is required to run a PCT?
• Regulators involved in assessing patient safety have been asked to report on what they are doing to reduce burden on healthcare organisations.
• Assessment of independent sector LTC facilities
• Information and the informatics review
• Influencing the development of the CQC.

Data collections - reducing the burden

At a recent provider advisory group meeting The Information Centre highlighted their work to reduce duplication of data and unauthorised collections relating to health and social care and suggested that greater awareness of whether information submissions are mandatory, statutory or voluntary may ease burden by empowering organisations to be more selective.

The spreadsheets found under publications show the live collections that appear in the Information Catalogue, listed by voluntary, statutory and mandatory, it should be noted that the information in the catalogue changes frequently. The Information Catalogue appears on the Information Centre's website.

Maternity service assessments - clarifying relationships

The PAG had raised the issue that the Healthcare Commission (HCC) maternity assessment and the NHS Litigation Authority (NHS LA) Maternity standards presented a confused picture to staff, patients and the public regarding maternity services. A CNST level 3 could be achieved for maternity yet the HCC maternity review could be low and it was the latter which received negative media attention.

In response the NHS LA and HCC worked together to issue a joint statement to clarify the links between the two assessments.

The NHSLA have also produced a statement with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to clarify the relationship with the revised Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts Maternity Clinical Risk Management Standards, produced by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and published in June 2008 and which are currently being piloted with the RCOG's new report Standards for Maternity Care.