Accreditation Visits

In general, accreditation visits are conducted between May and October each year and the health services to be visited are identified at the February meeting of the Accreditation subcommittee, when the survey teams and team leaders are allocated.  Visits outside this period are scheduled on an ‘as required’ basis and are generally the result of specific issues or concerns raised.

• In February, the Director of Medical Services of the health service is informed that an accreditation visit is due and is requested to complete and return the accreditation kit and any supporting documentation. At the same time, the health service is advised of their current accredited HMO positions and provided with the proposed timetable and a list of personnel required to meet with the survey team.
• The health service is requested to send sufficient sets of documentation to the Secretary within four weeks of receiving the request.
• The visit coordinator finalises the date of visit in consultation with survey team members, the Secretary and the health service, allowing at least three weeks notice for the health service.
• The Secretary confirms the visit date and time in writing to the health service.  The health service is also requested to provide to the Secretary names and positions of health service representatives who will be interviewed by the survey team and a timetable for the visit based on the proforma provided.
• The information provided by the health service, together with copies of the previous visit report and relevant correspondence, is forwarded to the survey team members two weeks before the visit.
• The team leader liaises with fellow team members regarding any issues and finalises the agenda and timetable one week before the visit.  This may involve contacting the health service if the proposed timetable and list of interviewees is not satisfactory.
• At the team debriefing session, prior to providing immediate feedback to the health service, the survey team maps out their report.
• Following the visit, the team leader, in liaison with the team members, finalises the report ensuring that all team members have agreed, and forwards it to the Secretary within two weeks of the visit.
• The survey report is discussed in detail by the Accreditation subcommittee at its next meeting.
• Recommendations from the Accreditation subcommittee are forwarded to Council for endorsement, and then the decision, together with the complete survey visit report, is provided to the health service and the Chief Executive Officer within two weeks of the Council’ s meeting.