ABSTRACT
The new Labour Government has given a clear commitment to the development of the NHS. The internal market has been abandoned and has been replaced by a framework that will facilitate co-operation and openness. This chapter outlines the concept of clinical governance and discusses the implications for a clinical director of pathology. Clinical governance can be defined as a framework through which NHS organisations are accountable for continuously improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish. The clinical director of pathology will be the key individual for ensuring that clinical governance is implemented within his or her directorate. With the implementation of clinical governance, clinical directors of pathology are going to be the key individuals within the directorate. They will need to take the lead in developing the systems within their directorate that will ensure a quality service is delivered.
