Improving and assuring accuracy
There is a demonstrable need for an accreditation system to be available for healthcare-relevant statistical methodologies. The power to create an accreditation scheme has been included in the Health and Social Care Act 2012, it should be used as soon as practicable.
- NHS England stated in April 2025 that the Advisory Group for Data (AGD) provides oversight of processes for governing the receipt, processing, and publication of data (DHSC and NHS England implementation update provided to the Thirlwall Inquiry, April 2025).
- The government published a detailed response to each of the 290 recommendations in November 2013, noting that the Health and Social Care Act 2012 empowered regulatory bodies to oversee healthcare standards (Hard Truths: The Journey to Putting Patients First, UK Government, November 2013).
- No further independent evidence regarding a specific accreditation scheme for statistical methodologies has been identified since 2023.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedThe government published "Hard Truths: the Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) on 19 November 2013, responding to all 290 recommendations of the Francis Report. This followed an initial response "Patients First and Foremost" in March 2013. Key reforms included a new Chief Inspector of Hospitals, strengthened Care Quality Commission inspection regime, a statutory duty of candour, and the fit and proper person test for NHS directors. Volume 2 (Cm 8754) contains the government's detailed responses to each of the 290 recommendations. See: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7cd486ed915d63cc65d167/34658_Cm_8777_Vol_1_accessible.pdf
Progress Timeline
DHSC and NHS England implementation update provided to the Thirlwall Inquiry (April 2025). This is the government's own account of progress, submitted to the inquiry. Reviewed extent of implementation: Partially implemented – Ongoing. The Health and Social Care Act 2012 established and empowered regulatory bodies that have the authority to oversee the quality and standards of healthcare services, which can facilitate the creation or endorsement of an accreditation system (e.g. role of the CQC). Information standards are used to ensure data can be understood across the sector, and used for planning and monitoring as well as for good patient care. The Data Alliance Partnership Board (DAPB) assures the quality of information standards. The Advisory Group for Data (AGD) provides oversight of NHS England's processes to ensure they are appropriate for governing the receipt, processing and publication of data that does not compromise confidentiality and maximises the use of information.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
Research published 2023 marking ten years since the Francis Report found mixed results. Structural and legislative changes largely delivered (duty of candour, FPPR, CQC overhaul, revalidation, Freedom to Speak Up Guardians). However, cultural change not fully embedded; understaffing, fear of speaking up, and poor complaint handling persist in parts of the NHS.
Government published "Culture Change in the NHS" (Cm 9009) reporting progress on all 290 recommendations. Key achievements: 19 hospitals placed in special measures; those trusts recruited 109 additional doctors and 1,805 additional nurses; 129 board-level changes made; excess avoidable deaths fell by 450 in less than a year.
Government published "Hard Truths: The Journey to Putting Patients First" (Cm 8777) in two volumes. Vol 1 set out new actions; Vol 2 provided detailed response to each of the 290 recommendations. Approximately 204 of 290 recommendations were fully accepted.