The national clinical assessment authority: a healthy sign of the times

The National Clinical Assessment Authority (NCAA) is a special health authority established on the 1 April 2001 following recommendations made in the Chief Medical Officer's reports, Supporting doctors, protecting patients (November 1999) and Assuring the quality of medical practice (January 2001). The aim of the Authority is to provide a support service to NHS primary care, hospital and community trusts, and to the Prison and Defence Medical Services when they are faced with concerns at the performance of an individual doctor or dentist. The Authority provides advice, takes referrals and carries out targeted assessments where necessary, using trained medical and lay assessors. Once an assessment has been completed, the Authority will advise on appropriate courses of action and will facilitate a local plan of action. The NCAA does not take over the role of an employer, nor does it function as a regulator: its function is purely advisory and the NHS employer remains responsible for resolving the problem.