Glenn HoustonRQIA Chief Executive

EPSO Conference, 15/16 April 2015

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) appointed RSM McClure Watters to conduct a Review of the

Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) in April 2014

“DHSSPS will conduct a review of RQIA at least every four years or at such other

intervals as the Department may determine”

(Management Statement and Financial Memorandum)

Timelines

March 2014 – Review announcedApril 2014 – Contract awarded

October 2014 – Report submitted to DHSSPSJanuary 2015 – Final report provided to RQIA

March 2015 – Action plan to DHSSPS

The Purpose of the Review

• Statutory Functions

• Core Activities

• Financial and Management Systems

• Relationship between DHSSPS and RQIA

Review Methodology

• Project planning and initiation• Desktop research• Learning from other UK regulators• Consultation• Governance review• Capacity analysis• Reporting and presentation

Key Sections

• Review of Performance

• Income and Efficiency

• Structure and Staffing

• Capability and Capacity Analysis

• Corporate Governance

• Comparison with other UK Bodies

Consultation Findings

“All those consulted with

were clear that there was an

ongoing need for the

functions of RQIA”

“Inspection was noted as a key element of the

improvement process”

Recommendations

• Legislative change

• Operational matters

• Governance

• Resourcing

3

6

13

4

Strengths

• RQIA’s recommendations lead to improved services and

systems

• Hygiene inspections contribute to increased patient safety

• Extensive network of external experts

• Good communication network with other HSC organisations

• Good communication with DHSSPS

Areas for Improvement

• Review Programme/Policy or Legislative Developments

• Responsibility for Follow-Up Action (Inspection Reports)

• Better Research to Support Findings/Recommendations

• Prioritise More Specific Recommendations

• Information Technology (eg. Hand Held Technology)

• Communication With Service Providers

Income and Efficiency

“RQIA has been successful in delivering on its cost savings targets. Given the increasing

workload facing the organisation, it is difficult to identify any significant

opportunities for further savings”

Structure and Staffing

“A new Corporate Strategy is under development for the period 2015 to 2018, and there is a need to ensure

that the HR/OD Strategy is updated as a result of the recommendations

coming out of the review and the new

Corporate Strategy”

Key Recommendations for RQIA

• Prioritisation/Traffic Light System for Recommendations

• Strengthen the voice of the patient

• Make Inspection Reports Less Technical/More User

Friendly

• Inspection Reports Using Outcome Based Data

• Resource Model to Calculate Workforce Requirements

• Resources for New Areas of Work

Budget for the Review

£35,000