title: A comparative review of clinical governance arrangements in the UK.
abstract: This article provides a comparative review of the interpretation and implementation of clinical governance frameworks within the four home countries of the UK--England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Clinical governance has become one of most significant and important concepts in modern health care. The article considers the policy background and the many definitions of clinical governance, but specifically compares the various strategic and operational approaches to delivery of clinical governance in different parts of the UK. It is suggested that these variations in approach, by each of the four UK countries, can lead to confusion for healthcare professionals in trying to understand, implement and monitor elements of clinical governance in practice.
authors.affiliation: Swansea University, School of Health Science, Swansea, UK.
authors.forename: Julia Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pridmore
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gammon
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003142:Communication; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004739:England; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009660:Northern Ireland; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017751:Safety Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D012606:Scotland; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration; D014852:Wales