Care Sector Guide

This is the popular title for what is officially the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection, the independent inspectorate for the NHS charged with improving patient care in England and Wales and particularly to tackle variations between hospitals, within hospitals and general practice.

Referred to by the Prime Minister as “the boldest step yet” in NHS modernisation, the CHI started work in April 2000. It undertakes reviews of clinical governance and intends to visit every NHS trust and health authority, which includes GP practices, primary care groups and local health groups in England and Wales.

Strongly evidence based, the commission can also undertake serious NHS failures under instruction from the Secretary of State and the National Assembly for Wales.

Chief executive: Anna Walker

Chair: Sir Ian Kennedy

Address:  Finsbury Tower, 103-105 Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8TG

Telephone: 0207 448 9200

Other UK equivalents:  The Health Care Commission covers Wales

Under government proposals the Commission will merge with the Commission for  Social Care Inspection (qv) and the Mental Health Act Commission in 2008.