How is the service organized nationally?
Although NPIS is provided by units embedded in separate NHS Trusts, a uniform national service is ensured by the following arrangements: • Each Unit holds a contract for provision of services to HPA. These contracts are in a common format and include key performance indicators. • All NPIS units work to common national standards as detailed in agreed operational procedures. • All telephone enquiries are recorded onto the UK Poisons Information Database (UKPID) which is enquiry answering software specifically developed for this purpose. Specific data protection arrangements are in place. • A number of groups meet regularly to agree national guidance and NPIS policy: • The NPIS Clinical Standards Group meets quarterly to develop and finalise clinical advice and discuss clinical governance issues. In addition, the group discuss urgent issues more frequently by teleconference • The TOXBASE editing group meets quarterly to edit and agree TOXBASE entries • Joint NPIS Commissioning meetings ta
