IHPN launch “refresh” of medical governance framework for independent providers

The Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) have today launched a “refresh” of its Medical Practitioners Assurance Framework (MPAF), designed to further improve the safety and quality of care independent providers deliver to patients.

Initially launched in October 2019, the MPAF – led by former National NHS Medical Director Sir Bruce Keogh – contains key principles to strengthen and build upon the medical governance systems already in place in the sector and sets out expected practice in a number of key areas.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) now uses the framework’s principles in assessing how well-led an independent service is, with the framework a requirement of the NHS’ 2022/23 Standard Contract which all independent sector providers of NHS-funded care must adhere to.

The MPAF was always designed to be a “live document” and today’s refresh strengthens the framework to ensure it remains in-keeping with current best practice in the health system. This includes taking into account recommendations from the Bishop of Norwich’s inquiry into Ian Paterson, as well as Baroness Cumberlege’s Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review (IMMDS). Key areas strengthened in the refresh include giving more prominence to expectations around patient consent, and the need to have greater transparency around conflict of interest declarations.

New initiatives such as the Learn from Patient Safety Events (LFPSE) service are also reflected in the refreshed framework, as well as an IHPN Development Plan which sets how the network will support providers to continue to implement the MPAF.

 David Hare, Chief Executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network (IHPN) said:

 “IHPN are delighted to be launching today a new refresh of our Medical Practitioners Assurance Framework (MPAF), reflecting the independent health sector’s commitment to continuously improving the safety and quality of care they deliver to millions of patients every year.

“Since the MPAF was launched in 2019, independent healthcare providers – with the support of CQC and NHS England –  have really embraced the framework, using it to review and update their practices to further raise the bar in medical leadership in the sector.

“With a continued focus amongst the entire healthcare system around improving patient safety and quality, this framework ensures providers adhere to the latest medical governance practices.

“This will not only ensure greater consistency around how clinicians work across the independent sector and NHS, but also give confidence to patients that independent healthcare providers are committed to delivering the safest possible care”.

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Source: Independent Healthcare Providers Network, 26 September 2022