The interviewers want to see that you are knowledgeable about clinical governance and can briefly explain it. In 1998, the Department of Health defined clinical governance as 'A framework through which health service organizations are accountable for continually improving the quality of their services and safeguarding high standards of care by creating an environment in which excellence in clinical care will flourish.' In a nutshell, risk management and clinical governance are concerned with improving the safety and quality of care provided to patients and their children in maternity services. Describe in your own words what clinical governance means to you as a midwife.