The Assessment Method

Each Practice receives a self-assessment booklet. The contents of the booklet are:

  an introduction
  an explanation of how to complete it
  an outline of each standard
  a self-assessment sheet for completion by the practice

The level that practices are asked to strive for are chosen on the basis of providing good care for patients while at the same time being achievable and realistic

The process of accrediation is not a pass or fail exercise, or a marking process. Neither is it prescriptive: practices can be accredited at any level through the verification process consisting of:

  10 standards for Palliative Care
   9 standards for Cancer Services

The credibility of practice self-assessment is ensured by providing a mechanism for externally verifying the results, thus checking that practices have followed the guidance in the assessment booklet and to make a direct examination of supporting evidence.

External verification visits to practices are undertaken by a team of professionals with skills in palliative care, cancer, audit and verification.