FAQs

What is accreditation?
Accreditation is public recognition by an accreditation body that your pharmacy meets the accreditation standard, AS85000:2011 – Quality Care Community Pharmacy Standard, demonstrated through an independent external peer assessment of performance against the standard. 

What are the benefits of QCPP accreditation?

• Public recognition that through an independent external peer assessment, that your pharmacy’s performance meets the accreditation standard and your pharmacy is committed to continuous quality improvement.
• Confidence that your pharmacy provides a consistent, safe and high quality service for your patients and customers that meets industry standard.
• Demonstrating to your staff, patients and community that you are committed to excellence in care provision, quality improvement and business performance and striving for best-practice.
• Two yearly on-site assessment, where assessors use their business expertise to help you identify opportunities for improvement in relation to QCPP requirements.
• Participation in a program, or access to funding e.g. being an NDSS access agent or Community Pharmacy Agreement payments.
• As part of your QCPP accreditation, you have access to the QCPP Requirements, Knowledge Hub, QCPP Hotline and email support, QIP newsletters and access to the Interpretations and Ruling Panel.

What reimbursements do I get for my QCPP fees?
QCPP does not administer reimbursements. However, QCPP understands that accreditation is a prerequisite for eligibility to participate and receive certain incentive payments under the 6CPA.

When will pharmacies be assessed against the new requirements of Quality Care 2020?

From October 2020, Quality Care 2020 will be the accreditation framework for quality in community pharmacy. Before then, assessments will continue to be made under the current program. Click here to find out in which program you will be assessed.

Quality Care 2020 Assessments

Further resources and information will be available in the lead up to Quality Care 2020, to give you plenty of time to prepare for your assessment.

What are the changes to the Requirements?

The Requirements are being enhanced to reflect contemporary industry practice. They will offer more flexibility in the type of evidence you need to provide, and how you provide it. The enhanced Requirements will also align with AS85000:2017 Quality Care Community Pharmacy Standard.

The Requirements will be structured across five domains that are aligned with your business operations.

Detailed information on the changes to the Requirements will be provided in the lead up to Quality Care 2020, to give you plenty of time to prepare for your assessment.

Will I need to rewrite my Operations Manual?

There is no need to restructure or rewrite your Operations Manual to align to the enhanced QCPP Requirements. If your Operations Manual works for you, you may keep it in its current format.

Will I be able to use the same evidence for the accreditation process?

If you are scheduled to be assessed under Quality Care 2020, you may find much of your current evidence aligns with the new program.

Detailed information on the changes to evidence will be provided in the lead up to Quality Care 2020, to give you plenty of time to prepare for your assessment.

Will pharmacy staff have to undergo training to implement Quality Care 2020?

No specific training will be required to implement Quality Care 2020 in your pharmacy.

Supplementary resources to assist you with the changes will be available through an online support portal.

The QCPP Helpline will also be able to assist with any enquiries you may have. Contact the Helpline on 1300 363 340 (9am-5pm AEST).

How can I find out more?

QCPP will provide detailed information and resources in the lead up to Quality Care 2020, to give you plenty of time to prepare for upcoming assessments.

To stay informed about Quality Care 2020, visit the QCPP website or sign up for the QIP Newsletter.

You can also contact the QCPP Helpline on 1300 363 340 (9am-5pm AEST) or email QualityCare2020@qcpp.com.

Who can I talk to about implementation assistance?
For implementation support you may wish to engage quality management services, such as those offered by membership organisations, quality consultants, or banner groups.

Can you suggest someone to help me prepare for my assessment?
QCPP does not recommend or endorse any particular quality management consultants. Try googling ‘quality management consultant’. Member organisations such as the Guild (if you are a Guild member) and banner groups may also be able to help you with implementation.

Will someone still come and visit my pharmacy to help me?
QCPP does not visit pharmacies. You may wish to engage quality management services, such as those offered by quality consultants, membership organisations or banner groups. For example, if you are a Guild member, then you can contact your Guild branch.

Will it cost me to get implementation assistance?
The cost of implementation assistance is at the discretion of individual quality consultants, membership organisations and banner groups.

What is the Impartiality Committee?
QCPP's Impartiality Committee oversees the independence of program operations. Its role is to ensure program rules, requirements, policies and audit criteria do not unfairly disadvantage any pharmacy or group of pharmacies. The committee also oversees complaints handling and appeals. The committee meets at least quarterly.

Are all EY Assessors accountants?
No, in fact, most EY assessors are not accountants. We have several assessors who are registered pharmacists and have been working in the pharmacy industry for several years. EY assessors are also engineers, scientists, and economists, as well as accountants.