This briefing summarises the findings from the Audit Commission's Audit Practice reviews of quality reports at 52 (out of 115) foundation trusts in summer 2010. It aims to help foundation trusts improve quality reports and the arrangements that underpin their production.
Quality reports are annual reports to the public from providers of NHS healthcare services describing the quality of their services. They can drive continuous improvement as well as enhance accountability to the public.
Legislation creates the duty for all NHS healthcare providers in England to produce an annual quality account. Monitor requires foundation trusts to produce a quality report that incorporates the legal requirements for quality accounts. Quality reports are often referred to as 'quality accounts' but for the purposes of this briefing we have called them quality reports.
Auditors found examples of good practice in foundation trusts, some of which are included in the briefing, but also found that there are four key improvement areas.