ITQ - External Assurance of RTT Data Quality and Reporting

Merton & Wandsworth Clinical Commissioning Groups (the contracting authority) are seeking for quotations in order to appoint a provider for third party assurance review of data processes and management of RTT rules and data management. The provider shall be required to undertake a detailed assurance review around the restoration and on-going maintenance of RTT data quality and operational processes, and should consider the areas: • That all patients who should be on the PTL are on the PTL • That RTT rules are being applied in line with the RTT national rules and within the spirit with which they were intended • The Trust has accurate data that is 'reflective of patient waits' and operational reports to support the safe and effective management of RTT pathways • The Trust has accurate and fit for purpose information and operational reports to support the safe and effective management of non RTT pathways such as non-RTT follow-ups, planned procedures, diagnostics and patients on active monitoring • The Trust has robust systems and processes to assure the quality of the RTT data • The Trust board can provide evidence around the assurance of RTT data quality • The contract deliverables will include report that assesses the overall readiness to return to reporting and recommendations for further action, as well as a view against all domains on progress to date and future ability to report RTT data. St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (SGUH) ceased national reporting of Referral To Treatment (RTT) waiting time standards in 2016, due to concerns with data quality issues. A review carried out in 2016 found a number of flaws with the Trust's waiting times systems with unknown clock starts, pathways excluded inappropriately, planned patients not actively managed and no standardised process to book follow up appointments. The Trust has since undertaken a significant RTT recovery programme including a validation exercise, a review of internal processes and a full assessment of its PTL construction. The Trust is now in a position to consider a return to reporting of the RTT standard.