The Health service journal
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A review of how the GMC handles complaints against doctors found shortcomings in consistency and transparency of decision-making. The lack of a common definition of what constitutes serious professional misconduct is a major problem. ⋯ Protocols should be developed for dealing with complaints alleging poor treatment, which account for some 70 per cent of complaints received by the GMC. The whole process of complaints handling should be subject to continual audit, and written records should be kept of all decisions taken.
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The government's plans for multi-agency healthcare will be hampered by the variability of data available in different sectors. Data collection from private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes lags far behind the NHS. Unless data collection improves, no information will be available on the care provided to the 270,000 people expected to receive rehabilitation or intermediate care in nursing homes under the NHS plan. This lack of essential data will weaken mechanisms for control.
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An enhanced postoperative theatre recovery unit can provide overnight intensive care for surgical patients. Most recovery units could be adapted for this purpose. Set-up capital costs are lower than for developing separate stand-alone facilities. 24-hour staffing is required for each OIR bed, although weekend cover can be downgraded to normal recover staffing, according to demand. Overnight intensive recovery and the ICU must collaborate in critical care provision.