Quality programmes update for practices

Quality programmes update for practices Kia ora koutou, Thank you for all the hard mahi you’ve been doing around the country. We have a few updates for you today about the exemptions process, child protection training, working with hazardous substances, and diversity.

We would also like to inform everyone that Victoria Harrison, our wonderful Quality Programmes manager, has accepted a new position as the College’s Head of Learning. We're currently in the process of recruiting a new manager and will update you when the role has been filled.

Please email us at quality@rnzcgp.org.nz if there are any items you would like us to cover in the next newsletter.

The Quality Programmes team

Practice achievements This graphic shows the number of certified/accredited assessments as at 1 October 2022. These statistics show the incredible work you’ve been completing.

The exemptions process The exemptions process was introduced to allow practices to progress to certification, when there is an unforeseen delay with meeting a criterion, but all other criteria are met.

It's particularly useful for practices waiting for emergency evacuation schemes to be approved, or for training dates to become available. It's not appropriate to use this process when a practice has a large number of criteria that are not yet met, or that will shortly meet all the requirements.

In these cases, the assessor can work with the practice to complete the requirements before recommending certification is awarded. View exemption request form.

Child protection training The Fundamentals of Safeguarding and Child Protection training provided by Safeguarding Children, fulfils the training requirement for 15.1.

In-house training is also acceptable provided it's conducted by a clinical team member who has attended the appropriate training course. Alternately, a qualified external provider may deliver training that includes information on:

• • • • •

barriers which may prevent us from helping tamariki in need potential signs of child abuse and neglect how to respond effectively if recognised legal and best practice frameworks which support an organisation to address any concerns dealing with child protection concerns including documentation and reporting.

Working with hazardous substances Certified handler training is needed for practices handling grade 6.1A and 6.1B substances only. It's ultimately up to the practice if they're handling other substances not listed here: 1. Liquid phenol kept in a bottle (used for ingrown toenail procedures) is a class 6.1 substance and requires certified handler training. BUT phenol swabs, phenol EZ ampoules, can be used instead without certified training – see the resources in the guidance. There are still risks with use so it should be added to the hazards and risks register.

2. Formalin pots received by practices from labs have been diluted to a strength which does not require certified training. But there are still risks with use so should be added to the hazards and risks register.

3. The mercury in a sphygmomanometer is considered a ‘manufactured article’ under HSNO and is excluded from hazardous substances regulations.

4. Practices are to have an inventory of any hazardous substances, which need to also be listed on the hazards and risks register along with all other hazardous substances which don’t meet that threshold (such as medical detergents, bleach etc).

Practices are to have an inventory of any hazardous substances, which need to also be listed on the hazards and risks register along with all other hazardous substances which don’t meet that threshold (such as medical detergents, bleach etc).

WorkSafe produced a practical guide on working safely with hazardous substances in April 2020. They also created a Hazardous Substances Toolbox which includes instructions for filling out inventories, a hazardous substances calculator, and other resources to define an understanding of the responsibilities according to the hazardous substances regulations.

Diversity The Quality Programmes team are often asked about indicator 4, the main question is: "my enrolled population isn’t diverse so how do I meet this indicator?"

Diversity is actually a lot broader than most practices think. Some examples are: cultural, racial, religious, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Every practice should relate to at least one of these groups.

You can collect information from your patients, to embrace diversity, inclusion, and equity, as long as you comply with the Health Information Privacy Code 2020. This data can then be used to implement initiatives which can be included in your Quality plan (criterion 8.2).

There are some great training programmes and information listed in our guidance to assist you. Please email the Quality Programmes team if you would like to discuss this indicator further.

Contact us If you have any questions about the Quality programmes, please email quality@rnzcgp.org.nz