Working at the National Audit Office “I’ve always wanted to do a job which helps to make real improvements to the everyday lives of people. Although I previously enjoyed studying, and later working in academia as an LSE Health Policy Research Assistant, I wanted to be based in a setting where my analytical skills would be applied to the cut and thrust of public policy, examining how public bodies use financial resources to deliver services in the most effective and efficient way. I had come across the NAO and its unmistakable stamp many times. But when I started to think about working for it, I came to a much better understanding of its importance to government accountability. The impact the NAO has is mainly to do with its reports to Parliament on a whole range of topics of significant public interest: including water pollution, health inequalities, preparations for the 2012 Olympics and student finance. Our recommendations on how services can be improved, which can be seen within the hard-hitting headlines of major newspapers and in key journals can lead to new and innovative ways of implementing departmental policies and delivering services to the public. In due course, I came to learn that the NAO was an independent parliamentary body, which is charged with holding the government to account in relation to how taxpayers’ money is used to deliver public services. The NAO scrutinises public spending 24 | BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2010 |
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on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons, delivering around 60 so-called ‘Value for Money’ reports, which aim to improve the delivery of central government services. My role as a Researcher on the Health VfM team is extremly interesting and engaging, and has given me the ability to apply key aspects of my health policy masters degree in a tangible reallife setting. Given that being healthy is an integral part of a fulfilling and happy life, it is extremely important that the NAO can examine whether the Department of Health has the appropriate systems in place to ensure that health-care services are delivered in the most effective, economic and efficient manner. Over the past year I have worked on many exciting projects, such as examining whether the Department has the appropriate incentive structures in place to improve secondary prevention of stroke; leading on a Good Practice Guide which showcased some of the bestpractice initiatives used to improve the quality of patient care; and using key performance data to identify critical drivers associated with improving NHS hospital productivity.” Candida Owusu-Apenten,