Accreditation takes dedication and team work, and AGPAL are experts in supporting practices during each stage of the accreditation process.

Practices that choose to undergo AGPAL accreditation commit themselves to a comprehensive program which involves the practice team reviewing the practice’s systems and processes, prior to an independent assessment conducted by a team of AGPAL Surveyors.

From reception staff to the practice manager; from the practice nurses to the doctors; the entire team works together to achieve accreditation and ensure patients receive the best quality health care.

AGPAL’s invoicing procedure splits the accreditation program costs into two invoices. The first, a self-assessment fee will be invoiced to the practice upon registration for accreditation, or when the practice is approximately 12 months out from their current accreditation expiry date and should be starting their re-accreditation process.

The registration fee covers the Client Liaison Team’s support and access to AGPAL’s comprehensive range of tools, resources and education offerings during the entire accreditation process. This invoice also grants practices with access to AGPAL’s self-assessment software system – AccreditationPro, allowing them to commence their self-assessment and ensure a cycle of continuous quality improvement.

The second invoice is the accreditation fee. This covers the cost of time and support involved in preparing a practice for its accreditation journey, including:

• A fully qualified and trained assessment team to assess practices against the RACGP Standards
• The surveyors’ time during the on-site accreditation assessment as well as the surveyors’ travel expenses and other ancillary costs, and
• An Accreditation Decision Maker to review completed accreditation reports.

With over 21 years experience accrediting general practices, AGPAL’s accreditation timelines ensure that practice teams have ample time to complete all required activities prior to their accreditation or registration expiry.

Our timelines have been developed to allow for instances when non-compliances are identified, and practices enter a period of Natural Justice where they are able to address any non-compliances prior to provision of their accreditation report to AGPAL’s Independent Decision Makers.

Adhering to AGPAL’s timelines also ensures accreditation decisions are made to support the continuation of practice’s PIP payments. If delays occur throughout the process, PIP eligibility can unfortunately be jeopardised and therefore we strongly encourage practice’s follow our recommended timelines.

Yes - however, an on-site accreditation assessment cannot occur any earlier than eight months from the expiry date.

To ensure practice teams experience a stress-free accreditation, we encourage practices to undertake the process early. This means everything is organised and doesn’t result in a big rush at the last minute. As long as the practice adheres to our recommended timelines, the process should run as seamlessly as possible.

Each practice has an AGPAL Client Liaison Officer who is available to support the practice team in the lead up to the on-site accreditation assessment. Simply phone or email them with any queries or concerns and they will be happy to assist.

The allocated AGPAL Surveyors will also touch-base prior to the day, who will advise of key requirements and an outline of the agenda.

Additionally, AGPAL practices are provided with a helpful resource titled ‘Your on-site accreditation assessment checklist’ to step them through some key assessment areas.

The assessment team are industry-peers and there to ensure practices are striving for excellence with continuous quality improvements. Although their key role is to assess the practice against the RACGP Standards requirements, they are also there to engage with the practice team, share their expert insights and give AGPAL a first-hand understanding of the practice and how it meets the RACGP Standards.

The on-site assessment shouldn’t be a surprise test that is suddenly sprung upon the practice – by submitting the practice’s self-assessment, much of the work required has been completed. Each day a practice team works hard to ensure the highest level of care and safety for patients and meeting best practice requirements – the day of the practice’s on-site assessment will not be any different. The surveyors are familiar with the ins and outs of the practice’s workings thanks to the previously-submitted self-assessment and are looking at how the practice operates to meet the requirements of the RACGP Standards.

An on-site assessment is an opportunity for learning and quality improvement. Should any non-compliances be found in an area of the Standards, practices are provided an opportunity to provide feedback. This is called Natural Justice, and is a way of ensuring AGPAL’s decisions are fair and transparent for practices. If this process is required, AGPAL’s Client Liaison Officers will clearly communicate requirements and outline associated actions and timelines.