Network Principles. The Network Board will be accountable for overseeing the activities of the Network and assuring the quality and integrity of the work undertaken. The Network is a collaboration of stakeholders and as such does not hold formal accountability for the actions and decisions of the participating organisations. However, the Network holds significant authority which stems from the expert clinical advice it is able to offer to stakeholders who will shape the planning, commissioning and delivery of critical care services. Board Members will be responsible for ensuring that the advice of the Network is formally communicated within their organisations and acted upon appropriately. There will be a responsibility placed upon Board Members to report as to the way in which partner organisations have responded to the advice of the Network Board. Should the Network be unable to reach a consensus on any key issue the Chair of the Network Board will consider what further action is required. The Network Board will be responsible for ensuring that guidance and advice on commissioning of quality requirements for Critical Care Services is provided to the LHBs through the Regional Commissioning Unit. WHC (2007) 023 NHS Commissioning Guidance issued in March 2007 formally recognises the role of Clinical Networks in supporting and informing commissioning. Clinical advice for commissioning must reflect:- • National standards and guidance and clinical governance requirements; • The outcome of annual audits against national quality requirements and guidance and the outcome of national clinical audits; • Deficiencies reported in inspection reports or accreditation processes; • National targets, including those set out in the Annual Operating Framework; • The outcome of demand and capacity analysis which in turn informs the need for additional investment or disinvestment • Surveys of patient’s satisfaction with local services In the North Wales region as part of the development of the North Wales Regional Commissioning Unit, it has been agreed that all Regional Network work programmes will need to be better aligned with the commissioning business cycle and the Network Work programmes considered by the Regional Executive Commissioning Board. This will help to ensure that the Regional Networks are operating within a clear commissioning context. In line with WHC (2005) 079 Clinical Networks the North Wales Critical Care Network will be registered with the Welsh Assembly Government Health a...
