Advisory GP18/02: Transferring accreditation between accrediting agencies

Advisory details

Purpose

To clarify for approved accrediting agencies and general practices the responsibilities and processes to be adhered to when a general practice transfers between accrediting agencies during its current accreditation cycle.

Issue

Accrediting agencies, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, and Services Australia have raised concerns about the movement of general practices between accrediting agencies with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission).

General practices can choose from approved accrediting agencies when seeking assessment. They may also choose to change their accreditation service provider at the end of a contracted period or during an accreditation cycle.

General practices should not be prevented from transferring between accrediting agencies during an accreditation cycle. However, they are required to continue to comply with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for general practices and the RACGP Standards for point-of-care testing before, during and following transfer.

Definitions:

The initial accrediting agency is the accrediting agency that currently provides accreditation services and has certified accreditation with a general practice.

The receiving accrediting agency is the accrediting agency the general practice wishes to engage as its future accreditation service provider.

Requirements

A general practice can transfer their accreditation status to the receiving accrediting agency and remain accredited provided:

1. The general practice has signed a contract with the receiving accrediting agency prior to or immediately following cancellation of their contract with the initial accrediting agency
2. The general practice maintains (or shortens) its existing accreditation cycle and schedule of assessment.

General practices should provide copies of their most recent assessment report from the initial accrediting agency for the receiving accrediting agency to assist with the continuity of the accreditation cycle.

The current accreditation expiry date specified by the initial accrediting agency will continue to be recognised by the Commission and other government agencies. The receiving accrediting agency must not issue a replacement accreditation certificate for the current accreditation award unless an accreditation assessment is required under the NGPA Scheme and is completed.

If the receiving accrediting agency accepts the general practice’s application and establishes a new contract for assessment of services, it must maintain the general practice’s existing accreditation cycle, including the schedule of assessments and expiry date. A transferring general practice would not be eligible for an extension to their accreditation status if the receiving accrediting agency cannot maintain their existing accreditation cycle. For further information, refer to Advisory GP23/02: Requests for extensions and appeals.

This advisory does not apply to general practices that seek to change their accrediting agency during an initial, final or repeat accreditation assessment before an outcome has been decided. Where a general practice seeks to do this, both the initial and receiving accrediting agencies must notify the Commission within 48 hours.

General practices with questions or concerns in relation to applications for transfer can contact the Commission’s Safety and Quality Advice Centre on 1800 304 056 or email AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au.