Summary
- New ‘modules’ allow for a more streamlined assessments against the standards
- Updated resources developed for choosing and recommending digital mental health services
- Requirements for digital mental health services to maintain accreditation
- New resource for digital mental health service providers to address cybersecurity requirements
Digital Mental Health Modules for streamlined assessments
The Commission has developed the Digital Mental Health Modules to reduce the total number of actions required to meet two sets of standards.
To achieve this, the Commission developed mappings to the Digital Mental Health Standards to remove the overlapping content and identify the unique actions. The Modules are described below and allow an organisation to have a single streamlined assessment process to meet their primary set of standards and the Digital Mental Health Standards.
| Primary set of standards | Digital mental health module | Number of actions reduced |
|---|---|---|
| National Safety and Quality Mental Health Standards for Community Managed Organisations | Digital Mental Health Module for Community Managed Organisations | 59 actions reduced to 13 actions |
| National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare | Digital Mental Health Module for Primary Care | 59 actions reduced to 16 actions |
The Digital Mental Health Standards self-assessment tool has been updated to support those using the digital mental health modules.
Updated resources for choosing a digital mental health service
The Commission has revised its resource to support people choosing a digital mental health service. We spoke with service users to understand what was important to them and created a worksheet to help people find a good service.
We also worked with clinicians and peer workers to develop some tips on what to look for when recommending a digital mental health service.
Both resources include looking for a provider that is accredited to the Digital Mental Health Standards. This is an easy way to know if the service can demonstrate addressing the key safety and quality issues for digital mental health.
Requirements for accredited services
The Commission develops advisories for service providers and accrediting agencies to follow so they meet the requirements under the Australian Health Service Safety and Quality Accreditation Scheme. The following advisories are currently in effect and are a requirement to maintain accreditation:
- Advisory D25/01 - Advice on not applicable actions for the Digital Mental Health Standards
- Advisory D25/02 - Notification of significant risk for the Digital Mental Health Standards
- Advisory D25/03 - Assessment requirements of digital mental health service providers post significant clinical or technical governance review
- Advisory D25/04 - Transitioning between accrediting agencies for the Digital Mental Health Standards
- Advisory D23/01 - Sampling for assessments to the Digital Mental Health Standards
Cybersecurity for digital mental health service providers
The digital mental health standards require service providers to have information security management systems in place to address the risks associated with vulnerabilities, threats and other issues related to cybersecurity.
The Commission has developed a resource to support service providers taking a risk-based approach to cybersecurity, including factors such as clinical and technical governance, workforce and integrating technical expertise.