We have published our annual performance review of the PSNI. During 2022/23, we conducted a monitoring review of the PSNI’s performance against the Standards of Good Regulation (the Standards).
For this period, the PSNI has met 15 out of the 18 Standards. Our report explains how we made our decision. While conducting this year’s performance review, we have experienced various problems with the information provided to us by the PSNI in terms of its accuracy, completeness and timeliness. These issues raise serious questions about the confidence we and the PSNI’s Council can have on the PSNI’s reporting and ability to address our concerns. The PSNI has told us that it has started work to resolve these problems, but we have not yet seen evidence of improvement at this stage. Therefore, the PSNI did not meet Standard 4.
The PSNI did not meet Standard 10 because there have been a number of registration errors on the PSNI’s register during the review period. We welcome the PSNI’s openness and transparency in bringing these issues to our attention and noted the actions the PSNI took to correct the register on each occasion. However, the PSNI did not have robust processes and controls in place throughout the review period to ensure the accuracy of the register and the PSNI has not yet taken action to reduce the risk of similar errors occurring in the future.
The PSNI did not meet Standard 15 because it is taking too long to deal with fitness to practise cases and the number of open older cases has increased. The PSNI was not able to provide us with sufficient explanation of the reasons behind the delays on cases closed by the Statutory Committee during the review period and the actions it took to minimise delays. It is our view that, in light of its small caseload, the PSNI should be able to manage delays to its cases more effectively.
The performance review is our check on how well the regulators have been protecting the public and promoting confidence in the health and care professions. We do this by assessing their performance against our Standards. The judgements we make against each Standard incorporate a range of evidence to form an overall picture of performance. Meeting a Standard means that we are satisfied that a regulator is performing well in that area.
In January 2022, we implemented a new performance review approach, starting with the 2021/22 round of reviews. In the new process, we undertake a ‘periodic review’ of each regulator every three years. This is our opportunity to look closely at all aspects of the regulator’s work. Between these reviews, we monitor their performance, focusing on areas of risk. This year, we undertook a monitoring review of the PSNI.
ENDS
Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care
Contact: media@professionalstandards.org.uk
Notes to the Editor
- The Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care oversees 10 statutory bodies that regulate health and social care professionals in the UK.
- We assess their performance and report to Parliament. We also conduct audits and investigations and can appeal fitness to practise cases to the courts if we consider that sanctions are insufficient to protect the public and it is in the public interest.
- We also set standards for organisations holding voluntary registers for health and social care occupations and accredit those that meet them.
- We share good practice and knowledge, conduct research and introduce new ideas to our sector. We monitor policy developments in the UK and internationally and provide advice on issues relating to professional standards in health and social care.
- We do this to promote the health, safety and wellbeing of users of health and social care services and the public. We are an independent body, accountable to the UK Parliament.
- Our values are – integrity, transparency, respect, fairness and teamwork – and we strive to ensure that they are at the core of our work.
- More information about our work and the approach we take is available at www.professionalstandards.org.uk