Introductory Guide - NHS Governance (3 Revised edition)

Development of good governance is the key foundation on which NHS organisations can build so that they are ready to face the challenging times ahead.

By explaining what governance is and how it works in practice within an NHS organisation, this guide will help your organisation to develop a sound and effective framework of governance that is not regarded as an unnecessary bureaucratic 'add-on' but rather an intrinsic part of the organisation's DNA, embedded at all levels. This updated version takes account of key policy developments in the governance arena.

It also looks forward to the coalition government's programme of reforms which are in the process of being implemented. Wherever possible we have included practical examples to help bring the theory to life and to encourage NHS organisations to review their own approach in the light of others' experiences.

As in the previous edition, we have retained a summary of 'learning points' at the end of each chapter and supplemented this with a list of key questions that organisations may want to think through to test whether or not their approach to governance is working effectively in practice. There is also an appendix that provides board members with a self assessment tool that they can use to review the health of their organisation's governance framework.