Standards

Standards

The standards are divided into 24 core and 13 developmental standards. Compliance with the core standards has always been mandatory but the approach taken by the Department of Health and Healthcare Commission with respect to the developmental standards has varied[2].

Domains

The standards are listed under seven headings or 'domains', three of which focus on the 'patient experience':

Safety
Clinical and cost effectiveness
Governance (both clinical governance and corporate governance)
Patient focus
Accessible and responsive care
Care environment and amenities
Public health

Standards for Better Health

Standards for Better Health are a set of standards that the National Health Service in England must meet. The standards were set out by the Department of Health of the United Kingdom in a document of the same name published in 2004[1]. NHS trusts must declare their level of compliance with these standards to the Healthcare Commission annually as part of the Commission's Annual Health Check[2]. The standards will be replaced from 2009/10 by registration criteria[3] to be established by the Department of Health and Care Quality Commission, which will take over from the Healthcare Commission on 1 April 2009.