26 September
2006
The Royal College of General Practitioners has
confirmed the next steps for a practice accreditation scheme after
recommendations made by a College working party were overwhelmingly
endorsed at the September meeting of RCGP Council.
The working party - including senior General
Practitioners Committee (GPC) representation - was set up in June
2006 to review practice accreditation. It confirmed the value
of a voluntary scheme of practice accreditation based on the
principles of continuous quality improvement and modelled on the
RCGP’s Quality Team Development scheme.
RCGP Council also recommended that talks
resume with the Department of Health in England to develop a pilot
scheme in England.
RCGP Vice-Chairman Professor Nigel Sparrow,
Quality Team Development Project Lead, said: “We have taken
on board the concerns expressed about practice accreditation and
responded to these. The key drivers for this should be to ensure
patient safety and the development and maintenance of high quality
care based on the services provided by practice teams.
“The Department of Health’s White Paper
Our Health, Our Care, Our Say makes it clear that the
Government intends to develop a system of practice accreditation.
It is imperative that any system should be voluntary,
developmental, supportive of practice teams and be without
gradings. We are re-opening talks with the Department of Health in
England to ensure that there is professional ownership and
influence on the scheme. We will continue to work with our
colleagues on GPC in developing the scheme.
“The RCGP’s involvement in developing its
tools for such a programme will also ensure that there is a level
playing field for NHS and private providers so that patients know
what to expect from the quality and standards of the care they
receive.”
RCGP Chairman Professor Mayur Lakhani, said:
“It is now time to move forward with the pilot. This is an
important initiative for patients and for practices. Hundreds of
practices have already undertaken the scheme and report positive
experiences. Internationally, accreditation is an important quality
initiative in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the
Netherlands.”
Ends
For further information contact Gillian
Watson, RCGP Public Relations, on 0207 344 3135; e-mail
gwatson@rcgp.org.uk