1. Healthcare Diagnostics Accreditation
Rebecca Gibbons - UKAS Assessment Manager

2. Introduction Accreditation and UKAS
Accreditation landscape for scientific and diagnostic services
The Future
Preparation tips and support
Benefits

3. Accreditation
Independent verification of an organisation’s competence to provide services such that the users have confidence in the outcomes
A customer wishing to be accredited must demonstrate competence against a recognised Standard
The accreditation body must impartially verify evidence to support this claim

4. United Kingdom Accreditation Service
UKAS – the UK’s sole national accreditation body appointed by Government
Operates in the public interest under a MoU with BEIS
Performance is assessed internationally
Design and administer robust, consistent and fair assessment and accreditation processes
Award and ensure maintenance of accreditation

5. Quality in Healthcare Diagnostic and scientific services
underpin 80% of clinical pathways
Biological (life) sciences
Diagnostic imaging
Physiological sciences
Physics and Bioengineering

6. Medical Laboratory Accreditation
1992 Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA)
2009 became wholly owned subsidiary of UKAS
Transition of accreditation for all CPA accredited medical laboratories to ISO 15189:2012 began in 2013
Currently 180 of potential 780 NHS and private laboratories accredited to ISO 15189:2012 – due to complete in 2018

7. IQIPS Scheme Scheme launched Summer 2012
To date 45 organisations accredited:
- 43 single discipline
- 2 with multi-disciplines
A further 41 organisations currently in the UKAS initial assessment process
35 organisations are in the formal pre-application RCP-SAIT stage

8. ISAS Scheme
Jointly owned by the Royal College of Radiologists and College of Radiographers
Launched 2009
To date 25 accredited organisations
A further 12 in the initial assessment process and 66 in the formal TLR pre-application stage
Imaging have a multi-modality/discipline scope

9. The Future
NHS England and CQC position statements strongly endorsing accreditation and its value in assuring quality in healthcare
Commissioners seeking assurance of quality by awarding contracts to UKAS accredited organisations
Providers looking at economies of scale to make accreditation more economical
Our view is that these objectives could be facilitated by harmonisation of accreditation against fewer Standards e.g. ISO 15189
Current trend is for:
Accredited organisations to extend scope by adding more disciples and also to seek joined up accreditation against multiple Standards e.g. ISAS & IQIPS
Currently establishing an Advisory Group to prepare for launch of a Medical Physics scheme

10. Help and Support
A large portfolio of help and support is available to organisations thinking about and/or preparing for accreditation
Tips for success:
Contact us/UKAS at an early stage to discuss your options
Access helpful support material from our website
Attend preparation for accreditation workshop to understand the basic requirements for accreditation
Locally:
Senior management buy-in and leadership is vital to success
Good teamwork and collaboration (other accredited disciplines)
Early and on-going gap analysis – online tools available

11. Benefits for patients Key benefits for patients
Strengthened focus on patient safety and quality of care
Professionally endorsed standards of care
Improved governance of standards, supporting continuous improvement
Increased confidence in the service

12. Benefits for professionals
Key benefits for professionals
Demonstrable professionalism and professional ownership of standards, in line with the recommendations of the Francis Report
Helps to define ownership and maintain clarity of roles and responsibilities
Opportunity for self-critical appraisal and improvement
“ The rewards have been high staff engagement, staff gaining a better understanding of their service and increased confidence that standards are being met across the service.”
Nigel Beeton
Imaging Services Manager,
West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

13. Benefits for Senior Management
Key benefits for Boards
Proactive risk anticipation and management
Promotes reflective practice, improvement and innovation at an organisational level
Secures confidence in the system for patients, service providers and the team
Acts as a leverage for change, improves staff motivation and sharing of best practice
“Now we have been accredited against the Standard, we have a high degree of confidence that we will comply with all regulatory requirements, including the Care Quality Commission registration requirements”.
Ajay Chadha
Chief Executive Officer
4 Ways Healthcare Ltd

14. Benefits for Commissioning Groups
Key benefits for Commissioning Groups
Raise local standards and choice
Support decision-making by providing third party confirmation of good practice
Enhance efficiency and value for money

15. THANK YOU MedLabsCustomerService@ukas.com ISASCustomerService@ukas.com