Clinical Governance

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Clinical governance informs our approach in every aspect of Regional Health Link’s operations.

Our services are designed to ensure that patient care remains safe, appropriate, and accountable throughout the entire transport process — from referral through to formal handover.

We recognise that patient transport introduces unique clinical risks. Our governance framework exists to manage those risks through structured decision-making, defined responsibilities, and clear standards of care.

Patient transport with Regional Health Link is treated as a clinical activity, not a logistical task.

Clinical accountability is maintained at all times, with responsibility clearly assigned to appropriately qualified clinicians operating within defined scopes of practice.

Care decisions are informed by:

• Patient condition and acuity
• RIsk of deterioration during transport
• Monitoring and intervention requirements
• Distance, environment, and access to escalation

All clinicians operate within clearly defined scopes of practice aligned with their qualifications, experience, and role.

Scopes of practice are supported by:

• Role-specific expectations
• Clinical guidelines and protocols
• Escalation pathways
• Professional registration requirements
  

Clinicians are not expected to practise beyond their scope, and transport is planned to ensure appropriate clinical capability is available for each patient.

Each referral undergoes clinical consideration prior to acceptance.

This includes assessment of:

• Patient stability and suitability for transport
• Required level of monitoring or intervention
• Environmental and logistical risks
• Availability of receiving services
  

Where clinical risk is identified, transport arrangements are adjusted accordingly or alternative pathways are discussed with the referring service.

Clear escalation pathways are in place to support clinicians during transport.

These pathways ensure that:

• Clinical concerns are recognised early
• Appropriate advice or support can be accessed
• Decisions are made in the patient’s best interests
• Continuity of care is preserved

Escalation processes are designed to support safe outcomes rather than delay care.

Effective communication is central to patient safety.

Regional Health Link maintains structured communication with referring and receiving services to support:

• Continuity of clinical information
• Clear transfer of responsibility
• Accurate and timely handover

Formal handover processes are used to ensure that care responsibility is clearly transferred at the completion of transport.

We are committed to continuous improvement and reflective practice.

This includes:

• Review of clinical activity
• Identification of risks and near-misses
• Learning from incidents and feedback
• Refinement of processes and standards

Clinical governance is treated as an active process, not a static policy.

All clinicians are required to:

• Maintain appropriate professional registration
• Practise in accordance with relevant standards and codes
• Engage in ongoing professional development
• Uphold ethical and professional conduct

These expectations support consistent, defensible, and patient-centred care.

Regional Health Link recognises the trust placed in us by patients, families, and healthcare services.

Our governance framework exists to ensure that this trust is upheld through:

• Clear accountability
• Disciplined clinical practice
• Appropriate oversight
• Responsible decision-making

Patient transport often occurs at moments of vulnerability and uncertainty.

Strong clinical governance ensures that care remains safe, consistent, and accountable — regardless of distance, environment, or circumstance.