R14 Response Accepted AI-assessed

Patient records compliance audit

Recommendation

Health Boards should ensure that the nurse in charge of each ward audits compliance with the duty to keep clear and contemporaneous patient records.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Excellence in Care (EiC) framework, NHS Health Boards are supported in ensuring compliance with clear and contemporaneous patient records through the CAIR Dashboard. According to Healthcare Improvement Scotland in January 2025, this dashboard monitors nursing care quality metrics, specifically encompassing record-keeping standards across all NHS Scotland boards, and every board has dedicated EiC and Digital Leads to support this work.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.gov.scot, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation requires implementation across many organisations. The assessment reflects central policy response, not adoption in individual organisations.
Jurisdiction
Scotland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Scottish Government
18 Jun 2015

Section 4.2 of the Scottish Government's response details professional standards for record-keeping, with the revised NMC code requiring nurses and midwives to maintain clear, accurate, and contemporaneous records. While the text does not explicitly state that the nurse in charge audits compliance, Section 3.3 notes that quality improvement uses a range of methods, such as audit, to deliver change that improves outcomes for people receiving services.

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Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Good Progress
01 Jan 2025
Healthcare Improvement Scotland Other

Excellence in Care CAIR Dashboard now monitors nursing care quality metrics including record-keeping standards across all NHS Scotland boards. Every board has an EiC Lead and a Digital Lead.

View detailed findings

CAIR Dashboard produced by Public Health Scotland provides standardised nursing and midwifery care quality metrics. Over 20 ratified measures with 30+ additional in development.

CAIR Dashboard, Public Health Scotland View Source
Source
Report The Vale of Leven Hospital Inquiry Report 24 Nov 2014
Responsible Bodies
NHS Health Boards (Scotland) Primary
Recommendation age 11.3 yrs
Last formal update 3932 days ago