Clinical Advice Review Commissioned by the PHSO: Report of the Independent Adviser to the Review (December 2018)

Summary

This review has examined the commissioning and use of clinical advice by the Parliamentary Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) service during the assessment and investigation of complaints made by (or on behalf of) recipients of NHS care. In establishing findings, conclusions, and recommendations, the author, Liam Donaldson, has asked a series of important questions, including:

• Does the current process for engaging clinical advice work effectively?
• What, if any, are the main problems, risks, and areas of dysfunction?
• Does the process need to be improved and if so why and how?