In the news

In response to the document " A first class service: quality in the NHS", a group set up by the BSHG has been working towards developing an agreed set of standards for clinical genetics practice. The group has begun its work by identifying the components of clinical governance as it applies to clinical genetics and surveying initiatives already underway in the regional genetics centres. In its report "Towards clinical governance in clinical genetic practice" (text available soon from the BSHG website), the working party discusses the issues involved in clinical audit of clinical genetics practice (in particular, the difficulty of establishing valid outcome measures), the development of clinical guidelines, arrangements for continuing professional development and appraisal, education and training both of genetics personnel and those in other clinical disciplines, clinical risk management, the importance of involving patient groups, and accreditation of centres for service and training. The BSHG is taking the development of clinical governance forward in consultation with the Joint Medical Genetics Committee.