Meeting the Foundation Standard
Pegasus Health started early in helping General Practice prepare for the upcoming Foundation Standard.
All member practices will need to meet this standard by 1 July 2016. Effectively, it is like a warrant of fitness for General Practice, representing the minimum legal, professional and regulatory requirements.
“In achieving the Foundation Standard, a practice will have also demonstrated its commitment to safety for its patients and staff,” says Martin Carrell, Pegasus Health Quality Programme Manager.
The Foundation Standard is the result of a collaborative effort by members of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners, Primary Health Organisations and organisations with an interest in General Practice standards.
“Many practices already have Cornerstone Accreditation, which means they automatically meet the Foundation Standard,” Martin says. This level of accreditation is needed in order to be a teaching practice hosting GP registrars on the RNZCGP education programme.
However, some 65 Canterbury practices still need to complete the Foundation Standard. Pegasus Health began meeting with General Practice teams in July 2014 to identify resources that would help them successfully achieve it. As a result, policy templates, guidelines and checklists were developed.
Most General Practices have now spent several months making any necessary changes. “By starting early, we have helped to ensure most practices will be in a good position to meet the timeframe,” Martin says.
What will practices need to do to meet the standard?
To achieve the Foundation Standard, a practice will need to provide evidence it is achieving 85 criteria that are grouped under:
- Patient experience and equity
- Practice environment and safety
- Clinical effectiveness
- Professional development.
For example, in the first category, a practice will be need to show it meets the requirements of the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights 1996 and the Health Information Privacy Code, both of which are aimed at safeguarding patient safety.
Assessment will be a two-fold process: a formal self-assessment, followed by a site visit from an assessor.
It is anticipated assessment for the Foundation Standard will occur on a three yearly cycle with some form of mid cycle quality activity.
The Foundation Standard is included as the entry level standard for General Practices in the Ministry of Health’s Integrated Performance Incentive Framework and in the PHO Services Agreement.
A copy of the current Foundation Standard and Interpretation Guide is available at the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners website: rnzcgp.org.nz/foundation-standard-2