Process for reviewing appeals against an assessment outcome

Appeals process

1. The health service receives the final NSQHS Standards assessment outcome report and wishes to appeal. If the health service wishes to appeal to the accrediting agency, proceed to Step 2. If the health service wishes to appeal to our organisation (the Commission), skip to Step 5.
2. The health service appeals to the accrediting agency. This must occur within 20 business days of the health service receiving the final report.
3. The accrediting agency reviews the appeal from the health service and provides a determination. This must occur within 20 business days of the accrediting agency receiving the appeal submission.
4. If the health service is satisfied with the outcome of the appeal, the appeals process ends here. However, if the health service wishes to further appeal the decision of the accrediting agency, proceed to the next step.
5. The health service appeals to the Commission. Where an appeal is made directly to the Commission, it must be within 20 business days of the health service receiving its final assessment report from its accrediting agency. Where an appeal is made following an appeal to its accrediting agency, it must be made within 20 business days of the accrediting agency ruling on its appeal.
6. The Commission undertakes an initial compliance check of the appeals submission and contacts the accrediting agency and regulator for comment/response. This must occur within 20 business days of the Commission receiving the appeal.
7. The accrediting agency and the regulator have 20 business days to provide a response.
8. The Commission reviews the appeal and provides a determination. This must occur within 20 business days of the Commission receiving the accrediting agency and regulator response, or notification of nil response.
9. The Commission notifies all relevant parties of the appeal outcome within 20 business days of the determination being made, including the health service, accrediting agency and regulator. The appeals process ends here.
    

Submitting an appeal to the Commission

All appeals are to be in writing and include executive approval. Incomplete submissions will not be processed. Supporting evidence and documentation should accompany the appeal and include:

• Name, title and contact details of the person (with delegated authority) submitting the appeal
• Health service name and address
• Unique health service facility number (allocated by the Commission)
• Name of accrediting agency
• Accreditation expiry date for the health service
• Assessment date(s) relevant to the appeal
• Reason for submitting an appeal
• Evidence supporting the appeal 
   

Appeals should be submitted to the Safety and Quality Advice Centre.