Domain outcome:

'Patients achieve health care benefits that meet their individual needs through health care decisions and services based on what assessed research evidence has shown provides effective clinical outcomes.'

The core standards for each domain are not optional. They should be met from the date of publication of the document 'National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08' (July 2004).

Demonstrating improvements against the developmental standards will be essential to achieve an overall high performance rating.

Domain outcome:

'Managerial and clinical leadership and accountability, as well as the organisation's culture, systems and working practices, ensure that probity, quality assurance, quality improvement and patient safety are central components of all the activities of the health care organisation.'

The core standards for each domain are not optional. They should be met from the date of publication of the document 'National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08' (July 2004).

Demonstrating improvements against the developmental standards will be essential to achieve an overall high performance rating.

Domain outcome:

'Health care is provided in partnership with patients, their carers and relatives, respecting their diverse needs, preferences and choices, and in partnership with other organisations (especially social care organisations) whose services impact on patient well-being.'

The core standards for each domain are not optional. They should be met from the date of publication of the document 'National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08' (July 2004).

Demonstrating improvements against the developmental standards will be essential to achieve an overall high performance rating.

Domain outcome:

'Patients receive services as promptly as possible, have choice in access to services and treatments, and do not experience unnecessary delay at any stage of service delivery or of the care pathway.'

The core standards for each domain are not optional. They should be met from the date of publication of the document 'National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08' (July 2004).

Demonstrating improvements against the developmental standards will be essential to achieve an overall high performance rating.

Domain outcome:

'Care is provided in environments that promote patient and staff well-being and respect for patients' needs and preferences in that they are designed for the effective and safe delivery of treatment, care or a specific function, provide as much privacy as possible, are well maintained and are cleaned to optimise health outcomes for patients.'

The core standards for each domain are not optional. They should be met from the date of publication of the document 'National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08' (July 2004).

Demonstrating improvements against the developmental standards will be essential to achieve an overall high performance rating.

Domain outcome:

'Programmes and services are designed and delivered in collaboration with all relevant organisations and communities to promote, protect and improve the health of the population served and reduce health inequalities between different population groups and areas.'

The core standards for each domain are not optional. They should be met from the date of publication of the document 'National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 2005/06-2007/08' (July 2004).

Demonstrating improvements against the developmental standards will be essential to achieve an overall high performance rating.