How will the public engage with Quality Accounts?
If the aim of improving public accountability is to be achieved, boards will need to take account of the views of their local communities and ensure that their Quality Accounts are accessible and informative. NHS organisations are encouraged to involve local communities, members and governors and patient groups, including Local Involvement Networks (LINks) in developing their thinking on Quality Accounts, and crucially their priorities for improvement with regards to quality of care provided. The Department of Health and the Care Quality Commission commissioned a project from Ipsos MORI in Summer 2009 to look at patient and public engagement in Quality Accounts.
