GP practices will get 28-day warning before accreditation visits under watchdog’s proposal
An alternative to short-term checks would be a longer accreditation cycle with at least one midpoint review.
Assessments with one month of notice or an extended accreditation cycle with at least one mid-cycle review are the two main options in a proposed GP practice accreditation revamp.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare says changes are necessary because just 22% of practices remain compliant with standards throughout the three-year accreditation cycle.
In its consultation, one option involves extending the accreditation cycle to four years but with practices subject to at least one midpoint review.
The commission suggests such a review would reduce “pressure and stress” on practices when preparing for their next routine assessment, by identifying areas of concern sooner.
