In 2002 the regulatory body for private, primary care was the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC)* and when Sarah joined General Medical Clinics PLC they had just submitted their registration application. The regulations required that registered bodies met certain standards (The National Minimum Standards Regulations) and the NCSC inspected all registered premises to ensure they were compliant. The regulations required that all registered bodies had a robust, non-discriminatory recruitment process, a detailed induction process and that all staff were appraised regularly and training was provided where required. Sarah introduced a comprehensive suite of processes and policies covering the requirements of these standards in relation to HR and at the first full inspection this aspect of the business was found to be above the standards required. During the process she engaged a consultant to undertake and objective HR audit and used it as the basis for prioritising improvements.
In addition to the processes Sarah introduced sickness absence monitoring, a system to monitor attendance and holidays, set up standard HR documents. The system was set up in such a way that it could be administered by a secretary but overseen by Sarah.
* The NCSC became the Healthcare Commission. The Healthcare Commission ceased to exist in March 2009 and the regulatory function is now the responsibility of the Care Quality Commission.