The NCHA has been consulting on their proposed quality framework, Quality in Primary Care Audiology (QiPCA). As well as submitting comments on an individual professional body/learned society perspective, the Joint Audiology Leaders Group has submitted a joint response to the consultation, as follows:
Whilst the Joint Audiology Leaders Group (JALG) welcomes the development of Quality in Primary Care Audiology (QiPCA) by the NCHA as a practical tool to support providers with quality assurance, we have some concerns around the framing and use of this document in its current form.
JALG is clear that the same quality standards should apply to all providers of NHS audiology services and recommend that the document encourages providers to work towards seeking accreditation via UKAS IQIPs. In accordance with UK legislation, health and social care quality assurance schemes must be developed and maintained with the engagement of UKAS, taking account of the existing principles that apply to accreditation and conformity assessment. UKAS already provides accreditation for audiology services via the IQIPS standard, developed with relevant stakeholders and professional bodies, and endorsed by NHS Chief Scientific officers across the 4 UK nations. We recognise that there are barriers, particularly for smaller and less well-resourced providers to obtain IQIPs accreditation, but BAA, BSA and BSHAA are all involved in the current review of IQIPs and keen to see improvement of this existing external quality assurance rather than development of different processes for different providers.
We would also recommend reviewing the existing guidance of JALG members (the citation of professional body guidance and supporting evidence is incomplete) and further consideration of how providers will assess against this framework.
We would encourage NCHA colleagues to focus development of this tool on supporting providers with building the basics of quality assurance into their provision, across JALG we have seen providers struggle with obtaining the resources and support to work towards IQIPs, and this is a valuable opportunity to support this development for colleagues particularly in the private sector. We recognise also that IQIPs may not be appropriate in its current form for provision of non-NHS services, and are certainly welcoming of work to develop guidance specifically for those providers.