ABSTRACT
Sporadic audit has always been part of medical practice, observations of the results of interventions leading to improvements in care for future patients. In recent years there has been a growing recognition of the importance of devoting adequate time to audit, and of doing it in an organized, systematic and cost-effective way. Regular participation in audit is now a contractual requirement for doctors working in the National Health Service (NHS). The climate for the assurance of standards has moved on considerably in the past few years. Under clinical governance, consultants are required to demonstrate audit of their performance and results.1 Clinical audit is central to the NHS approach on clinical effectiveness, and the informed participation of health authorities, GP fundholders and NHS trusts is essential to its success and further development.
