Accrediting with AGPAL
Operating since 1997, AGPAL has more than 21 years experience in general practice accreditation and related quality improvement services to general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services, medical deputising services, after hours services and Royal Flying Doctor Services (RFDS).
AGPAL is committed to providing simple and effective accreditation solutions consistent with international best practice.
AGPAL’s accreditation process
AGPAL offers a transparent approach to accreditation. Accreditation is a cyclic process of internally led self-assessment followed by an independent external assessment, aimed at facilitating quality service provision. Understanding the accreditation process enables a smooth accreditation experience for practice teams.
There are six steps in the AGPAL accreditation process:
Registration
By registering with AGPAL, practices gain unlimited access to accreditation support and resources to begin their quality improvement journey.
As part of this registration process, once initial invoice is paid, the self-assessment fee, the practice gains unique access to their online AGPAL accreditation hub, education and resource library, and self-assessment tool – AccreditationPro.
When the practice is due for re-accreditation, they will be automatically re-registered and a self-assessment fee invoice will be sent to the practice approximately 12 months prior to the current accreditation expiry date. This payment ensures access to AccreditationPro to commence the re-accreditation process is continued.
Self-assessment
Self-assessment is an internally led process where practices determine the degree to which they meet the requirements of the RACGP Standards. AGPAL’s web-based self-assessment tool, AccreditationPro, guides general practices through the self-assessment process. This self-assessment process is a gap analysis assessment to identify compliance against the RACGP Standards and where improvements may need to be made prior to an on-site accreditation assessment.
Take a look at the 'Resources & Support' AGPAL provides to practices working through their self-assessment and accreditation journey.
Application
To apply for accreditation, the practice submits its completed self-assessment to AGPAL.
Submission of self-assessment is a paperless and fully automated process through AccreditationPro. Submission indicates that your practice is ready for the on-site accreditation assessment. At this stage, part two of your invoice will be issued to the practice. Once AGPAL receives payment, planning of the on-site accreditation assessment commences.
On-site accreditation assessment
An on-site accreditation assessment is the process of determining if the practice has demonstrated compliance with the relevant RACGP Standards. The on-site accreditation assessment should occur at least three months prior to the practice’s registration/accreditation expiry date.
AGPAL appoints a suitably skilled assessment team to conduct the on-site accreditation assessment.
AGPAL Surveyors have completed a comprehensive training program, participate in continuing professional development, and adhere to a code of conduct aligned to national best practice principles in professional audit.
Decision
After the on-site accreditation assessment, the assessment team prepares a report for AGPAL outlining the assessment findings. A decision is made about the practice’s accreditation status by an independent AGPAL Accreditation Decision Maker.
If it is deemed that the practice is not yet compliant in areas of the RACGP Standards, the practice is given an opportunity to provide feedback. This period is called Natural Justice and is AGPAL’s way of ensuring decisions are fair and transparent for practices.
Any response or submission provided by the practice is considered in the accreditation decision-making process.
Continuous quality improvement
Once the practice achieves accreditation it’s time to celebrate!
This is when the practice continues to implement quality improvements throughout the three-year accreditation cycle.
Client Liaison Team
AGPAL’s friendly, professional and supportive Client Liaison Team is committed to providing personalised assistance specific to each of our client’s accreditation needs. The team is available during standard AEST business hours. Your Client Liaison Officer is available as often or as little as you need, at no additional cost – it’s all part of the service.
Having undertaken 5th edition training, and with their extensive client experience, AGPAL’s Client Liaison Officers endeavour to personally answer their client’s specific standards questions. If extra assistance is required, they will point in the right direction.
AGPAL’s accreditation hub houses a unique, in-built messaging system, linked directly to each Client Liaison Officer’s message dashboard. This system enables our clients to message their Client Liaison Officer directly while working through their self-assessment in AccreditationPro.
Highly trained Surveyors
AGPAL Surveyors are highly trained and qualified peer assessors who work across the Australian health, community and human services sectors. AGPAL engages healthcare professionals with relevant experience and qualifications in general practice.
As professional peers, AGPAL Surveyors are not just there to assess the safety and quality of care provided by your practice – they are passionate about quality improvement and will share their knowledge and discuss quality improvement opportunities with your team as part of the on-site accreditation assessment process.
Keen to get a quote from AGPAL before registering?
Resources and Support
In addition to our Client Liaison Team, AGPAL clients have access to over 300 practical, informative and customisable tools, resources, and education offerings. These offerings support practices in complying with the RACGP Standards, enhancing their knowledge and implementing quality improvements.
Resources range from fact sheets, policy and procedure templates and checklists to publications and external guides, as well as links to relevant websites to assist teams with achieving accreditation.
AGPAL's accreditation hub
AGPAL’s online accreditation hub is tailored to each practice’s individual accreditation timelines and framework requirements. This practice management platform offers a number of practical and useful features which supports individuals and teams to prepare for accreditation and to implement quality improvements.
Your complimentary AGPAL accreditation hub
As a registered AGPAL client, you have access to your personalised accreditation hub to support your team at each stage of the accreditation cycle.
Multi-user and organisation functionality
Support teamwork across multiple practices or sites during the accreditation process:
- Each member of your team can login to your accreditation hub with their own individual user account, or utilise the single organisation or ‘head office’ account.
- Users linked to multiple practices or sites can access all accreditation information for all sites with a single login.
Document management system
Upload multiple pieces of evidence at one time and keep track of document versioning and review dates. Go paperless with secure and safe Tier IV, Australian based cloud storage, with multi-user and multi-organisation options for optimum team-based input.
Built-in messaging system
Your AGPAL accreditation hub houses a unique, in-built messaging system, linked directly to your Client Liaison Officer’s message dashboard. This system enables you to message your Client Liaison Officer as you work through your self-assessment in AccreditationPro.
Queries are aimed to be answered within a 24-hour turnaround during business days.
Education and resource library
Find over 300 tools, resources and education offerings, including templates, posters and customisable registers and policies – including a Policy and Procedure Manual created specifically for practices accrediting with the RACGP Standards 5th edition.
You’ll also discover a suite of e-Learning modules and webinars on a range of topics to support your team with accreditation preparation, quality improvement activities, knowledge enhancement and professional development opportunities.
Personalised action plan
Create an action plan for your practices, allocate responsibilities to your team members and monitor the progress of key tasks. With an easy to download capability, print your action plan off and make it a regular discussion point at your team meetings.
Accreditation self-assessment progress overview
Provides your practice’s key deadlines and milestones and includes graphs showing your practices self-assessment progress.
Monitor how much of your self-assessment is complete to ensure you are on track to meet all your important accreditation timelines.
AGPAL's accreditation hub
AGPAL’s online accreditation hub is tailored to each practice’s individual accreditation timelines and framework requirements. This practice management platform offers a number of practical and useful features which supports individuals and teams to prepare for accreditation and to implement quality improvements.
Your complimentary AGPAL accreditation hub
As a registered AGPAL client, you have access to your personalised accreditation hub to support your team at each stage of the accreditation cycle.
Multi-user and organisation functionality
Support teamwork across multiple practices or sites during the accreditation process:
- Each member of your team can login to your accreditation hub with their own individual user account, or utilise the single organisation or ‘head office’ account.
- Users linked to multiple practices or sites can access all accreditation information for all sites with a single login.
Document management system
Upload multiple pieces of evidence at one time and keep track of document versioning and review dates. Go paperless with secure and safe Tier IV, Australian based cloud storage, with multi-user and multi-organisation options for optimum team-based input.
Built-in messaging system
Your AGPAL accreditation hub houses a unique, in-built messaging system, linked directly to your Client Liaison Officer’s message dashboard. This system enables you to message your Client Liaison Officer as you work through your self-assessment in AccreditationPro.
Queries are aimed to be answered within a 24-hour turnaround during business days.
Education and resource library
Find over 300 tools, resources and education offerings, including templates, posters and customisable registers and policies – including a Policy and Procedure Manual created specifically for practices accrediting with the RACGP Standards 5th edition.
You’ll also discover a suite of e-Learning modules and webinars on a range of topics to support your team with accreditation preparation, quality improvement activities, knowledge enhancement and professional development opportunities.
Personalised action plan
Create an action plan for your practices, allocate responsibilities to your team members and monitor the progress of key tasks. With an easy to download capability, print your action plan off and make it a regular discussion point at your team meetings.
Accreditation self-assessment progress overview
Provides your practice’s key deadlines and milestones and includes graphs showing your practices self-assessment progress.
Monitor how much of your self-assessment is complete to ensure you are on track to meet all your important accreditation timelines.
GP, practice manager & nurse CPD points/hours
General practitioners, practice managers and practice nurses are awarded continuous professional development (CPD) points and hours for their involvement in achieving AGPAL accreditation. These points help to maintain professional membership status and relevant CPD requirements with industry bodies.
Practice Manager CPD
AAPM members are eligible for up to 20 CPD points per cycle following the achievement of AGPAL accreditation.
Practice Nurse CPD
APNA members can claim up to 15 CPD hours for their involvement in the AGPAL self-assessment process with their practice.
GP CPD
GPs are eligible for up to 15 RACGP CPD hours, and ACRRM CPD hours following the achievement of AGPAL accreditation.