MPs, Ministers and Civil Servants, Executive Quangos

The Audit Commission should be authorised to publish public interest reports on NHS bodies at its own discretion.

The Treasury should review the arrangements for external audit of public bodies, with a view to applying the best practices to all.

Each executive NDPB and NHS body that has not already done so should nominate an official or Board Member entrusted with the duty of investigating staff concerns about propriety raised confidentially. Staff should be able to make complaints without going through the normal management structure, and should be guaranteed anonymity. If they remain unsatisfied, staff should also have a clear route for raising concerns about issues of propriety with the sponsor department.

Executive NDPBs, supported by their sponsor departments, should: develop their own codes of openness, building on the government code and developing good practice on the lines recommended in this report; [B] ensure that the public are aware of the provisions of their codes; [B] sponsor departments should: encourage executive bodies to follow best practice and improve consistency between similar bodies by working to bring the standards of all up to those of the best; [B] the Cabinet Office should: produce and periodically update guidance on good practice for openness in executive NDPBs and NHS bodies.

New board members should on appointment make a commitment to undertake induction training which should include awareness of public sector values, and standards of probity and accountability.