General practices are assessed for accreditation against the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices.
Adhering to the RACGP Standards provides a template for quality care and risk management and provides a framework for the continuing development within a practice.
Benefits of Accreditation
- Improve patient safety and overall health outcomes.
- Reduce risk in practice.
- Improve practice efficiency.
- Improve practice environment.
- Access to financial incentives for general practice – PIPs & SIPs.
- Practice actively engages members of the practice team in establishing quality systems and processes.
- Can help to build a culture of quality within a general practice.
- Helps to promote quality and safety in the services accredited practices provide.
In October 2010 the RACGP launched the 4th Edition Standards. The Standards are currently transitioning from the 3rd to the 4th Edition.
Transitional arrangements are as follows:
- Practices registering for accreditation for the first time will be assessed under the 4th edition standards.
- Phase 1- Practices with an accreditation expiry date of before 30 March 2012 will be accredited against the 3rd edition.
- Phase 2- Practices with an accreditation expiry date between 1 April and 31 July 2012 can choose either the 3rd or 4th edition.
- Phase 3- Practices with an accreditation expiry date on or after 1 August 2012 will be accredited against the 4th edition.
Third Edition Standards
Fourth Edition Standards
The 4th edition includes a number of changes; please see the related document which highlights the key differences:
Info Sheet Practice Accreditation 4th Edition top 10 new requirements
AGPAL members can access a more comprehensive outline of all differences from the RACGP 3rd Edition Standards to the RACGP 4th Edition Standards via the AGPAL website https://www.qip.com.au/qbayresources.asp
Accreditation bodies
There are two accreditation bodies for general practice.
AGPAL – Australian General Practices Accreditation Limited
Level 1, 65 Park Road (PO Box 2058) MILTON QLD 4064
Ph: 1300 362 111
Fax: 1300 362 110
Email: info@qip.com.au
Website: www.qip.com.au
GPA - Accreditation Plus
95-97 Sheridan Street, GUNDAGAI NSW 2722
Ph: 1800 188 088
Fax: 1800 644 807
Website: www.gpa.net.au