UPDATE: Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards November 2007

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) commenced its review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards in November 2006 with the release of a discussion paper endorsed by Health Ministers. The paper was the basis for the first phase of stakeholder consultations and detailed issues with the current safety and quality accreditation system and its standards. In addition the paper proposed a package of reforms for accreditation including a national set of standards by which health services would be assessed.

The first phase of consultation is complete and the information collected is detailed in the Report on Initial Stakeholder Consultation which was endorsed by Health Ministers at their meeting in July 2007. An alternative model of accreditation has been developed by the Commission as the basis of consultation. The alternative model was developed directly from the information collected in the first phase of consultations and proposes a substantial reform of the accreditation system that has the potential for far-reaching change.

In August 2007, a second phase of consultation commenced. This phase of consultation was completed in November 2007 with the Commission holding a National Workshop. Documents prepared for the Workshop are publicly available for download:

• Draft - Report on the Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards (PDF 213 KB)
• Draft - An Alternative Model for Safety and Quality Accreditation (PDF 343 KB)
• Presentation by Professor Chris Baggoley for National workshop 30 Nov 2007 (PDF 1673 KB)

Stakeholder Consultation

Representatives from all sectors of the health system including public and private health care sectors, health departments, professional bodies and colleges, standard setting bodies, accrediting agencies, private insurers and consumers have been invited to attend a National Workshop to be held on 30 November 2007. The National Workshop will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the draft paper for a proposed alternative model to be put to Australian Health Ministers by the Commission in early 2008. The Workshop will explore those areas of difference that remain between those stakeholders the Commission has consulted and advice will be sought from stakeholders on these matters.

In the coming weeks the Commission will publicly release a new consultation paper on the alternative model based on the views and discussions with stakeholder during the second phase of consultation. This paper is intended to further provide the basis for consultation at the National Workshop.

Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health care is reviewing National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards. The Australian Health Ministers have endorsed the release of documents that form the basis for consultation with stakeholders.

These documents can be downloaded freely.

Consultation Paper: An Alternative Model for Safety and Quality Accreditation of Health Care – August 2007 (PDF 269 KB)

Written submissions on Consultation Paper: An Alternative Model for Safety and Quality Accreditation of Health Care – August 2007

Report on Initial Stakeholder Consultation Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards July 2007 (PDF 1627 KB)

Executive Summary of Report on Initial Stakeholder Consultation on the Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards July 2007 (PDF 250 KB)

Written submissions on National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards Discussion Paper - November 2006

Discussion Paper: National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards - November 2006 (PDF 358 KB)

Updated: 06 December, 2007

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