For more information, read the full policy by downloading the accessible Word document at the end of this page.
Who the policy applies to
- Patients and members of the public
- NHS Essex staff
- Organisations providing NHS services in Essex
- Partner organisations working with NHS Essex
Why this policy is important
Everyone has the right to safe, high-quality care.
This policy helps NHS Essex to:
- check that services are safe and effective
- improve patient experience
- identify risks early and take action
- support services to keep getting better
Regular visits help make sure providers meet national standards and deliver good care.
What quality assurance visits are
Quality assurance visits are checks carried out by NHS teams.
They:
- review how services are run
- look at patient safety and experience
- gather feedback from staff and patients
- identify what works well and what needs to improve
What the visits focus on
Visits check that services meet essential standards of care.
These standards include:
- being treated with dignity and respect
- receiving safe care
- being involved in decisions about your treatment
- having your concerns listened to
These are the basic standards every patient should expect.
Types of visits
There are different types of visits depending on the situation.
Routine visits
- Planned checks carried out regularly
- Help monitor quality over time
Enhanced visits
- Carried out when concerns or risks are identified
- Based on information such as incidents or feedback
Intensive visits
- Carried out when there are serious concerns
- Arranged quickly to review safety and quality
How visits improve services
After a visit:
- findings are shared with the service
- areas for improvement are identified
- good practice is recognised and shared
This helps services learn and improve for patients.
Respecting patients during visits
During visits, staff must:
- treat people with kindness and respect
- protect privacy and dignity
- avoid disrupting care
- keep information confidential
This helps ensure visits do not affect patient care.
Roles and responsibilities
Everyone has a role in improving quality.
- NHS Essex plans and carries out visits
- Healthcare providers respond to findings and make improvements
- Staff support the visit process and share information
- Patients and communities help by giving feedback
Policy review
This policy was approved on 1 April 2026 and is due for review in April 2028.
For full details, download the accessible Word version of the policy below.