January 2012 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

Access to Medical Records review which had provided moderate assurance was
reported to have been held, which had highlighted good progress was being
made to address recommendations but more work was needed on risk
assessments. The Board was informed that the draft Internal Audit plan for
2012/13 had been presented, with the final version due for consideration at the
February 2012 meeting. The planned reduction in the Audit fees for 2012/13 had
been welcomed by the Committee.
SWBTB (12/11) 263
A review of the performance of Internal Audit against a number of Key
Performance Indicators was reported to have been considered, which had
highlighted ‘hot spots’ including communicating results and improving the speed
of gaining management responses.
The Board was informed that a response to a letter concerning Data Quality
Assurance from Chair of NHS West Midlands had been presented, where it was
proposed that a scoring system be introduced into performance reports to
indicate the quality of data being reviewed, with areas deemed to be of the
highest risk being considered first.
Mrs Hunjan reported that the current performance against the Prompt Payment
Target had been presented and that the Committee had been advised that a plan
was in place to raise the profile of the requirement to to receipt good received. It
had been pleasing to hear that the plan to achieve the 95% target set for year‐end
remained on track.
In terms of a progress report on the work of External Audit, the Committee had
been advised that the post Annual Audit review had been completed and that a
refreshed Audit Plan would be presented at the next meeting, which would
include plans for audit of Quality Accounts.
The Board was advised that the Committee had considered a Counter Fraud
Progress Report, including the detail of open cases currently under investigation.
It had been reported that the Qualitative Assessment score for 2010/11 had been
Level 2, the same as that of the previous year. Mrs Hunjan advised that a new
assessment process was being piloted which would replace the Qualitative
Assessment. It had been noted by the Committee that the reporting culture for
counter fraud matters needed to be improved and it was suggested that further
work was needed to raise profile among nursing staff in particular.
The Board was advised that a self‐assessment of Audit Committee’s effectiveness
would be shared at the February 2012 meeting of the Committee.
In terms of other items received and noted by the Committee, the Board was
informed that the Quality Account action plan and the updated Assurance
Framework had been received and noted. The Committee was reported to have
also received the minutes from the other Committees of the Board.
Mr White added that it had been agreed at the meeting that the timetable for the
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