Peer review is a collaborative quality improvement process, which allows for the evaluation of scientific, academic or professional work by others working in the same field.
It constitutes a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession, encouraging peers to share information, learn where their strengths and weaknesses lie and agree plans for improvements to patient care.
Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards of quality, improve performance and provide credibility.
In 2011, the Welsh Government recommended that the peer review process for cancer services be led by Health Inspectorate Wales (HIW), working in partnership with the Cancer Networks. Peer review was then launched in Wales in 2012.
In 2017, the Welsh Government published the NHS Wales Peer Review Framework and tasked the NHS Executive (formally NHS Wales Health Collaborative) to oversee an all-Wales programme for peer review.
If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please contact WCN.WalesCancerNetwork@wales.nhs.uk