The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) accreditation unit is pleased to announce the launch of the Quality in Primary Immunodeficiency Services (QPIDS) accreditation scheme.
The RCP was approached by the UK Primary Immunodeficiency Network (UKPIN) to adopt their existing accreditation scheme, revising the accreditation standards and pathway to become the QPIDS accreditation scheme. The scheme is now open for registration and the RCP encourages all immunodeficiency services to register and work towards achieving the QPIDS standards.
Dr Claire Bethune, QPIDS clinical lead and consultant immunologist, said:
The new QPIDS scheme will build on the previous success of the UKPIN accreditation scheme for primary immunodeficiency services. It has effective processes in place and a supportive accreditation pathway for services working towards accreditation and we hope the first service will be accredited in the New Year.
Accreditation is an important tool for driving quality improvement and improving patient care that is recognised by the NHS England service specification for specialised immunology, which requires specialist units to be working towards accreditation.
The RCP accreditation unit will also be launching the Improving Quality in Allergy Services (IQAS) accreditation scheme on 25 November. Immunology services that manage allergic diseases are encouraged to work towards both QPIDS and IQAS accreditation.
The accreditation unit has a strong track record in improving the quality and safety of patient healthcare. It hosts several accreditation schemes, including:
- Joint Advisory Group (JAG) on gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Safe, Effective, Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS)
- Improving Quality in Physiological Services (IQIPS)
- Improving Quality in Allergy Services (IQAS).
Visit the QPIDS website for full details of the accreditation scheme and registration information.
For further information, please contact Joanna Morgan, RCP Care Quality Improvement Department communications manager on +44 (0)20 3075 1354 or email joanna.morgan@rcplondon.ac.uk.
The RCP accreditation unit
The RCP accreditation unit was established to improve the quality, safety and outcomes of healthcare through accreditation assessment against agreed standards. Accreditation is a supportive process involving self-assessment, training, consultancy, support, recommendations, and the sharing of best practice by teams.
The accreditation unit has clinical and technical expertise in accreditation, a well-established accreditation methodology, and tried and tested supporting policies and procedures. It has a large administrative capacity and experience of developing and running the web-based accreditation tools that support the accreditation pathway. It also has an understanding of operating a sustainable business model, which balances value for money with a high quality scheme.
UKPIN accreditation
The UK Primary Immunodeficiency Network accreditation scheme (UKPIN) for primary immunodeficiency (PID) services was set up in 2000 following the findings of a Department of Health-sponsored national audit of PID services. The intention of the scheme was to improve the care of PID patients through the development of common approaches to diagnosis, care, support and management, by means of setting consensus standards of practice and service organisation. Following an initial pilot phase the accreditation scheme became established in 2007 under the direction of a Network Accreditation Committee.