ABSTRACT
Corporate governance lays down the 'rules' which organisations operate within. The healthcare manager needs to understand this framework in order to manage services in accord with legislative and other requirements. Healthcare organisations are expected to deliver high quality services through clinical governance underpinned by modernised professional self-regulation and extended life-long learning. The quality concept is supported by standards given by standards for services and treatments by the National Services Frameworks (NHS) and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. The Research Governance Framework establishes that the primary consideration of any research study must be the 'dignity, rights, safety and well being of participants in NHS related research'. Governance for the public services is a very complex and changing concept and it has a number of main ingredients. Proper financial management is but one, alongside risk management, Code of Conduct including leadership and organisational culture, partnership working, accountability and the establishment of trust.
