The Commission has published a briefing summarising the findings from its appointed auditors' reviews of quality accounts at 91 NHS acute and mental health trusts, including the Isle of Wight Primary Care Trust. It also summarises the Audit Commission's Audit Practice reviews of quality reports at 52 (out of 136) foundation trusts (FTs). 'NHS quality accounts 2010/11: Providing external assurance: Findings from auditors' work at NHS trusts and foundation trusts' aims to help providers improve their quality accounts and support auditors in reviewing the arrangements that underpin their production.
We have included a series of case studies that are relevant to both sectors and they should consider the points raised in this report about how they can improve their processes in producing quality accounts.
Overall, we found a positive picture of good and improving performance. NHS trusts and FTs are producing quality accounts in accordance with the relevant guidance and the data is of sufficient quality. NHS trusts have made a strong start in their first year. FTs have addressed many of the areas for improvement we identified last year.