Page 177 - Human Rights

Faculty of Nursing
Adult care Nursing Department

More than a performance principle, public accountability is the main driver of a new culture in the

healthcare sector (Laureen 2005).

Independent of the degree of the state’s intervention and the introduction of market rules, it

needs to be applied effectively if the objectives of the healthcare system are to be fully achieved.

Sun shine regulation depends largely on the implementation of this principle as it is not possible,

without accurate data, to scrutinize the activity of healthcare providers.

Thus, the existence of an appropriate and contemporary regulatory system is an instrumental
factor in the global improvement of the healthcare system and con sequent, of the population’s

health outcomes.

A crucial aspect of sunshine regulation is the comparative benchmark analysis of healthcare

providers, for example, the star-based rating system promoted by the British CQC and by the
Portuguese Regulatory Authority of Health.

This system exemplifies the hierarchization of relative quality that, according to the principle of

public accountability, provides simple and objective information to the public (generally using four

levels) on the global performance of the organization.

In England, the CQC enacted the rating system.

It was based on performance indicators reflected in the star ratings of NHS hospital trusts (Harris

2001).

155 Academic Year 2025/2026