The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is calling for feedback on the second draft of the RACGP Standards for general practices (5th edition) (the Standards). The Standards support patient safety in the evolving health environment, both reflecting and advancing contemporary general practice.
RACGP President Dr Frank R Jones urges all general practitioners (GPs), practice staff and other stakeholders including members of the public, to participate in the consultation.
“The ideas we get from this consultation are critical. To best support quality and safety in general practice, the Standards must be meaningful to practising GPs,” Dr Jones said.
During the first consultation phase in early 2016, more than 300 recommendations, ideas and suggestions were received for the first draft of the 5th edition of the Standards.
As a result, the RACGP has changed the requirements for the presence of a third party during a consultation with a GP. In the first draft, practices were required to obtain patient consent and document the presence of any third party. In the second draft of the Standards, practices are required to obtain patient consent and document the presence of a third party only when introduced by the practice.
“This next consultation is a further opportunity for all involved in general practice to put forward their thoughts and perspectives in order to shape our future.”
Dr Jones said there were a number of key additions and changes to the 5th edition draft which he hoped would bring about discussion and debate.
“The draft 5th edition Standards also sees a move towards an innovative new structure, focusing on desired outcomes and patient-focused indicators.
“Some of the new proposed indicators include seeking feedback from the practice team about quality improvements in the practice, having an open disclosure process, more flexible and meaningful patient feedback requirements, and considering ethical dilemmas,’ Dr Jones said.
“We know some of these new aspects will generate polarising views, which is why feedback is so important.”
The current consultation phase began on Monday 6 June and is set to run until 30 September 2016.During this consultation phase, the draft Standards will be piloted in 100 practices across Australia.
The final version of the 5th edition Standards is expected to be launched in October 2017.
The second draft 5th edition Standards is available at www.racgp.org.au/standardsdevelopment/