National Specification for psychological therapies and interventions - national implementation guide 3: psychology operational plan

3. Strategy, Management, and Clinical Governance

An Operational Plan for Psychology will be set within the wider context of the Board’s overall Clinical Services Strategy and Governance Arrangements and its Organisational Structure. This section should describe how Psychology fits within the Board and the strategy and organisational arrangements within Psychology. The areas that should be covered are:

• Proposals for wider strategic developments and changes to existing structures / models of care / service delivery within Psychology to improve outcomes and the service delivered to patients. This would include the application of Digital Technologies to support communication with, and care and support of patients.
• The Management and Operating Arrangements for Psychology and their fit within wider health and social care structures (an organogram will be relevant).
• An assessment of their effectiveness in ensuring the ‘voice’ of Psychology is heard at HSCP and Board levels to inform decisions on strategic service planning and to ensure performance and risk are appropriately prioritised.
• An overview of Clinical Governance arrangements for Psychology (and relationship with wider Mental Health / Board governance where relevant) and the processes to manage risk and assure ongoing service quality.