Clinical Networks and Clinical Senates

Clinical Networks

Clinical Networks support delivery of the core clinical programmes within the NHS Five Year Forward View by connecting commissioners, providers, professionals, patients and the public across pathways of care with the aim of improving health outcomes. This is achieved by sharing best practice and innovation, assessing and benchmarking quality and outcomes and driving improvement where required through targeted support.

Clinical leadership is central to all programmes and ensures the breadth of clinical engagement required in programme delivery across the pathways of care. Commissioning decisions are also supported by wide patient, carer and public engagement.

The core focus of all the clinical programmes is to reduce unwarranted variation, improve cohesion and ensure sustainable services across pathways of care for patients, both now and in the future.

There are 12 Clinical Networks across England, the South East Clinical Delivery and Networks covers the South East area.

 

Clinical Senates

Clinical Senates have been established to be a source of independent, strategic advice and guidance to commissioners and other stakeholders to assist them to make the best decisions about healthcare for the populations they represent.

They are made up of a core Clinical Senate Council and a wider Clinical Senate Assembly or Forum.

The Clinical Senate Assembly or Forum is a diverse multi-professional forum providing the Council with ready access to experts from a broad range of health and care professions and patient representatives.

The Clinical Senate Council is a small multi-professional steering group. This group co-ordinates and manages the Senate’s business. It maintains a strategic overview across the region and is responsible for the formulation and provision of advice working with the broader Senate Assembly or Forum.

There is one Clinical Senate in the South East. Material produced by Wessex, Thames Valley and South East Coast Clinical Senates prior to 1st April 2020 as well as new material produced by the South East Clinical Senate since 1st April 2020 can be found here: https://secsenate.nhs.uk/