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New
standards for NHS Trust programme
- 2005
Due
to popular demand, HQS is pleased to announce the launch of
the 4th edition of the accreditation standards for NHS trusts.
The benefits of the HQS framework are widely recognised as
a means of managing initiatives such as Clinical Negligence
Scheme for Trusts, Improving Working Lives and Risk Pooling
Scheme for Trusts.
Our
aim in revising the programme is to up-date the standards
in line with current requirements, cut out duplication and
ensure that it is easier to see where HQS fits in with other,
mandatory, requirements for assessment of the trust. The new
HQS programme provides a structured methodology for dissemination
of requirements and collation of evidence from around the
trust and has clear links to other standards frameworks. This
will help to bring the myriad of assessments and associated
paperwork under one umbrella.
Trusts
that have achieved recognition such as CNST level 3 and IWP
'Practice plus'. will be exempt from these criteria within
the standards. Where a trust is working towards these assessments,
the HQS surveyors will want to assure themselves of on-going
action plans and progress, but this will be against the external
frameworks themselves, not HQS standards. The aim of this
is to reduce the duplication of effort and compilation of
evidence that has been needed in the past.
Pulling
together the new programme has been a massive undertaking,
not just the revision and re-writing of the current standards,
but the sheer volume of policy papers, DH circulars, National
Service Frameworks, NICE guidelines, mandatory standards and
professional guidance that all have to be read, digested and
reflected in the standards, whilst trying to keep the framework
to manageable proportions.
It
has been a team effort with the HQS staff all involved in
drafting, editing and review of the work, in partnership with
surveyors, representatives from participating trusts and contacts
in Royal Colleges and professional organisations.
For
example standard click
here
Further
information is available from:
Helen
Crisp
Director
of Development
Tel:
+44 (0)20 7389 1000
Fax: +44 (0)20 7389 1001
Email: hcrisp@hqs.org.uk
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