Advisory details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Advisory number | AS18/05 |
| Version number | 1.0 |
| Publication date | October 2018 |
| Replaces | Advisory 15/01 of the NSQHS Standards (first edition) |
| Compliance with this advisory | It is mandatory for approved accrediting agencies to implement this Advisory |
| Information in this advisory applies to | All approved accrediting agencies All health service organisations |
| Key relationship | n/a |
| Attachment | n/a |
| Notes | Updates related to the NSQHS Standards (second edition) |
| Responsible officer | Margaret Banks Director, National Standards Phone: 1800 304 056 Email: accreditation@safetyandquality.gov.au |
| To be reviewed | December 2022 |
Purpose
To clarify for accrediting agencies and health service organisations their responsibilities and the recommended processes to be followed when health services change accrediting agencies.
Issue
Accrediting agencies, health departments and health service organisations have raised concerns about the movement of health service organisations between accrediting agencies with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission).
While the Commission has the responsibility for developing and maintaining the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, state and territory health departments are responsible for regulating assessment of the NSQHS Standards in their jurisdiction.
Definitions:
The initial accrediting agency cancels a health service organisation’s membership.
The receiving accrediting agency enrols the health service organisation following cancellation of their membership with another accrediting agency.
Requirements
- The initial and receiving accrediting agencies are required to notify the Commission of ceased and new members as part of their routine reporting cycle, in the first report after the confirmation of the change to a new accrediting agency.
- The initial accrediting agency may withdraw an accreditation award if the contract signed by the health service organisation with an accrediting agency has provisions for withdrawing an accreditation certificate.
- For the purposes of the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme, the relocating health service organisation remains accredited where they have:
- signed a contract with the receiving accrediting agency just prior to or immediately following cancellation of membership with the initial accrediting agency
- if the state or territory health department accepts the health service organisation’s transition to another accrediting agency
- maintained their existing accreditation cycle and have no outstanding actions or obligations to the initial accrediting agency.
- Where the health service organisation enrols with a receiving accrediting agency, the receiving accrediting agency is required to continue the cycle of the health service organisation’s existing accreditation and timing of the accreditation cycle.
- The Commission recommends that the health service organisation provides their receiving accrediting agency with a copy of their most recent assessment report from the initial accrediting agency so that there can be continuity of process.
- Where a health service organisation seeks to change accrediting agency during an assessment, both the initial and receiving accrediting agencies must notify the Commission within 48 hours.