We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Service reviews: Process guidance for clinical oncology and clinical radiology publication. It sets out in detail the principles underpinning the invited service review process, planning and preparing for a review, as well as the processes that will normally be followed by the RCR when undertaking reviews at the request of services.
The RCR is committed to working collaboratively with oncologists and radiologists and the services in which they work, to support them in maintaining the highest standards of patient care. Service reviews provide the opportunity for imaging and cancer care services to seek an external expert opinion and objective advice – and are usually commissioned at the invitation of the medical director or chief executive.
Invited service reviews are often requested:
- where there are concerns about how a service is performing – for example, about quality or safety; or
- to provide an external assessment following; for example, reconfiguration or change of leadership, or a service’s response to recruitment, retention or other workforce challenges.
They are not used as a means of assessing the clinical competence of individual doctors, and do not replace existing procedures for managing performance.
Dr Raman Uberoi, Medical Director, Professional Practice, Clinical Radiology, said: “Service review is an important clinical radiology initiative to support hard pressed radiology departments within the four UK nations in improving the services they provide and ultimately, improving patient care.”
Dr Nicky Thorp, Medical Director, Professional Practice, Clinical Oncology, said: “A key role of the RCR is to support clinical oncology and clinical radiology departments to deliver the best possible patient care, which is an increasing challenge in these difficult times.
“Service reviews – based on departmental visits by teams of experienced practicing clinicians – are an important component of this function. The RCR is keen to raise awareness of this offer and we hope that service leads will find this a useful and informative reference document.”