Reminder: Accreditation Consultants and NGPA Scheme Requirements

Ensuring compliance with the NGPA Scheme is a critical component of the accreditation process for general practices. To reinforce transparency and adherence to established guidelines, AGPAL reminds practices that consultants engaged to prepare a general practice for assessment are not permitted to attend or participate in the assessment process under the NGPA Scheme.

Why is this important?

• The Commission has outlined clear requirements to maintain the integrity and independence of the accreditation process. General practices should be aware of their obligations under AGPAL’s Client Services Agreement:Disclosure of consultant involvement: Practices must disclose to AGPAL any external consultants contracted or appointed to provide services or support for accreditation preparation or assessment (Clause 8.1d).
• Non-engagement of consultants in assessments: External consultants must not engage with, or discuss any aspect of, the accreditation assessment with the appointed assessment team before or during the process (Clause 8.1e).

These requirements align with the Commission’s Managing conflicts of interest in accreditation policy, available on the NGPA Scheme webpage, which also defines the role of a general practice accreditation consultant.

Ensuring compliance and protecting accreditation integrity

To avoid any potential conflicts of interest, practices should ensure that only authorised representatives of their practice participate in assessments. Failure to disclose a consultant’s involvement or any breach of these conditions may impact the validity of an accreditation assessment.

We encourage practices to review their accreditation preparation arrangements to ensure full compliance with these requirements. For more information, or if you have any questions regarding the role of consultants in the accreditation process, please refer to the NGPA Scheme guidelines or contact AGPAL directly.