Governance, safety and quality: NHS Interview Questions for International Doctors

What is clinical governance and describe your last audit are two of the most asked questions in these interviews. Datix, incident reporting and never events follow.

Updated 26 October 2026

How to answer

Define clinical governance in your own words and give one example of each part you have done. Describe your last audit with the problem, the measure, the result and what changed. Know what a Datix is and when to use it.

Frameworks: STARR for the audit

  • STAR Situation in a sentence, Task: what you had to do, Action: what you did in the first person, Result: the outcome with a number where there is one. Add Reflection for STARR. Full guide →
  1. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadSTARR

    What can you tell us about clinical governance?

    The system by which organisations keep care safe and improve it: audit, incident reporting and learning, guidelines, education, patient feedback and risk management. Give one example of each part you have taken part in.

  2. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadSTARR

    Describe your last audit.

    The problem, the standard, the measure, what you changed, the result and whether you re audited. Be clear about your own part. Numbers make this answer.

  3. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the medical directorSTARR

    Tell us about an incident you were involved in, how it was reported, and what happened afterwards.

    The incident, your part in it, how it was reported, what the review found and what changed. Say how the patient was told and how you were supported. Panels score candour and learning.

  4. Often askedUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadSTARR

    What is the difference between audit and research?

    Audit measures practice against a standard to improve care; research creates new knowledge and needs ethical approval. Say which yours was and why the distinction matters.

  5. Often askedUsually asked by the medical directorSTARR

    What is a Datix, and when would you complete one?

    The incident reporting system most trusts use. Complete one for any incident or near miss, as soon as possible, with the facts and no blame. Say that reporting is expected and that you would follow up what happened.

  6. Often askedUsually asked by the consultant colleague in the specialtySTARR

    How do you make sure patient safety is maintained when you are tired or stretched?

    Know your warning signs, use structured handover and checklists, double check prescriptions, ask for help early, take breaks, and say when you are not safe. Give one example of a time you noticed you were stretched and what you did.

  7. Often askedUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadSTARR

    How do you cope with pressure, and what do you do when you can no longer cope with your workload?

    Name the strategies you actually use: prioritising, asking for help, sleep, exercise, talking to someone. Then what you would do if it became too much: tell your supervisor, use occupational health, reduce load. Say that asking for help is a strength.

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