Accreditation

Accreditation is the assessment of a general practice against the requirements outlined in the Standards of General Practice written and published by the Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP) 5th Edition Standards .The Standards of General Practice are considered the benchmark for Australian practices. 

How CESPHN supports general practice with accreditation  

Our Practice Support and Development team provide assistance to general practices to achieve accreditation or re-accreditation by: 

• Providing advice and support on meeting and understanding the RACGP accreditation standards 
• Advising on key aspects of accreditation including infection control, sterilisation, cold chain management practice management, risk management and much more. 
• Working with practices on a tailored support plan and timeline. 
• Provision of templates and resources. 
• Provision of phone and online support. 
• Providing practice visits and mock accreditation visits. 

Benefits of accreditation 

There are many benefits to accreditation, including: 

• Provides a framework for a practice to deliver high quality, safe health care to patients in accordance with industry best practice standards. 
• Allows patients and clients to have confidence in the standard of health care they are receiving. 
• Educates staff about the value of and gives them the frameworks to deliver high quality, safe health care services. 
• Creates a workplace culture that values quality. 
• Earns Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI&CPD) points for each GP participating in accreditation. 
• Facilitates access to the Federal Government’s Practice Incentives Program (PIP) and Workforce Incentive Program (WIP). 

• Reduces business risk. 
• Ensures the practice complies with regulatory requirements and national standards. 

Accreditation Agencies – the assessment process 

To become an accredited general practice, your practice must select an approved accreditation agency. There are four Australian accreditation agencies that general practices are able to choose from to gain accreditation against the Standards. 

For more information on what is required by the accreditation agencies and surveyors, see the RACGP 5^th edition Accreditation Standards – the assessment process.  

Agency contact details can be found at RACGP – Accreditation Agencies. 

Practice Incentive program (PIP) 

The Practice Incentives Program (PIP) aims to encourage general practices to continue providing quality care, enhance capacity, and improve access and health outcomes for patients.  

Who can participate? 

To participate in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) the practice must participate in the Practice Incentives Program (PIP) before applying for individual incentives. Practices must either be accredited or become accredited within 12 months of registration to be eligible for the PIP. Practices must also meet ongoing eligibility requirements, see Services Australia – Who can get it for further information. 

There are eight individual incentives that practices are able to participate in. For further information and individual guidelines, please see Services Australia – What are the individual incentives. 

EDUCATION