Review of Early Warning Systems in the NHS

The National Quality Board in England has produced a report which sets out the Early Warning System in the NHS in England. This briefing provides an overview of the system.

The RCN believes that this report is a very useful summary of the way that the system should work. That said, there remain some real challenges to the components required within the system for example; commissioning is not yet world class, the CQC has not yet set out fully how it will work. There remain key issues about the interaction of CQC with professional regulators, staffing, leadership, cultures and engagement with the public and patients that are still very much work in progress.

For further information, please email papa.ukintl.dept@rcn.org.uk