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8 December 2021
Launch of the first Primary and Community Healthcare Standard
The new National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards have been welcomed by healthcare providers and consumers.
Accreditation to the standards will be voluntary, unless required by a regulator or funder, and will commence in mid-2022.
Missed the online launch in October by Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Greg Hunt MP? Watch it on our website, where you can also access resources to help with implementation and frequently asked questions.
Primary and community healthcare services seeking accreditation prior to commencement in 2022 may seek provisional accreditation in certain circumstances.
New and updated resources
Resource for care in migrant and refugee communities
The NSQHS Standards User guide for health service organisations providing care for patients from migrant and refugee backgrounds includes guidance on approach, planning, implementing and evaluating services. It has strategies and examples of supporting evidence to demonstrate compliance with the NSQHS Standards.
Paper-based National Standard Medication Charts – Checklist for assessors
This checklist assists assessors reviewing organisations using paper-based medication charts.
See NSQHS Standards Checklist for assessors - Reviewing paper-based National Standard Medication Charts
Advice on the submission of hand hygiene compliance audit data
The 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard requires compliance with the National Hand Hygiene Initiative requirements for auditing hand hygiene and reporting audit results. This updated advisory clarifies the requirements for submission of data for national hand hygiene Audit 3, 2021 and Audit 1, 2022 and assessment of Action 3.10.
See this updated advisory
COVID-19: Infection prevention and control risk management
The fact sheet provides information to support health service organisations to conduct risk assessments in relation to COVID-19 and develop a comprehensive Risk Management Plan.
See fact sheet
Updates to advisories/fact sheets
This monitoring tool has been updated to reflect the amendments to the 2021 Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard.
See Updated - NSQHS Standards monitoring tool - Preventing and Controlling Infections Standard
Need more information?
Information and resources regarding Safety and Quality Standards or accreditation processes are now available from the Safety and Quality Advice Centre.
- Email using the updated email address: AdviceCentre@safetyandquality.gov.au
- Complete the web based contact form
- Call 1800 304 056
The Advice Centre is operational from Monday to Friday between 09.00 and 16.00 (AEDT).
Contact us: mail@safetyandquality.gov.au safetyandquality.gov.au