RAID methodology: the NHS Clinical Governance Team's approach to service improvement

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the methodology used to introduce Clinical Governance into the NHS and to review progress.

Design/methodology/approach

The RAID (Review, Agreement, Implementation, Demonstration) process and its use in introducing the Clinical Governance Development Programme into the NHS are described.

Findings

The NHS Clinical Governance Programme employs RAID, a modification of an accepted “bottom‐up” approach to achieving successful organisational change, as the means of effecting service improvement. The “Review” stage involves analysis and understanding of the service; “Agreement” ensures that all staff, the organisation and stakeholders are committed to recommended changes; the “Implementation” phase tests effects that the changes have made to the service and “Demonstration” allows evaluation and monitoring. Lessons learned from the process can lead to further improvements. Initially staff from the Clinical Governance Support Team introduced the Programme but thereafter the process can be run internally. Specialised programmes, e.g. The Stroke Programme, have developed out of the general programme and the RAID process has been disseminated to other public sector services. Over half of NHS organisations have participated.

Originality/value

RAID is described in the context of the NHS and its implementation is summarised.

Citation

Rogers, P.G. (2006), "RAID methodology: the NHS Clinical Governance Team's approach to service improvement", Clinical Governance: An International Journal, Vol. 11 No. 1, pp. 69-80. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777270610647047