ACHS Lead Assessor Forum
First face-to-face Lead Assessor Forum in two years.
ACHS was thrilled to host its first face-to-face Lead Assessor Forum in two years on March 9th 2022. Forty of our Australian based Lead Assessors were able to come together, catch up with colleagues and share learnings and experiences of what has been a unique, often tumultuous, and always interesting couple of years. For all those unable to attend on the day, they will be able to access the program virtually to ensure all can meet the requirements for mandatory training.
ACHS strives to constantly review and improve its accreditation assessment processes and systems - to promote high quality, consistent and value-added accreditation services for our members. The Forum program is built upon feedback from a range of sources including our members, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC), and Assessors. The feedback highlighted the high regard in which our assessors and assessment teams are held.
This year saw us focus on the ACHS Strategic Direction, outlining the key initiatives that will enhance the assessment experience for both our members and assessors. The ACSQHC provided an overview of accreditation assessments trends nationally including the application of ratings and assessment outcomes for the past 12 months. Joined by the ACSQHC National Standards Program Director, we discussed the future of assessments, including the introduction of the Primary and Community Care Standards, plans for the Digital Mental Health Standards and the approval of virtual and hybrid assessments.
A range of interactive group sessions focused on what to expect from members when assessment teams review evidence and documents whilst observing and interviewing staff, patients and their carers. We also discussed report writing, using real examples to facilitate shared understanding, interpretation and documentation of assessment findings, ratings and recommendations or suggestions for improvement - aiming for greater reliability and consistency.
Lessons learnt through the application of mobile technology and planning to support virtual and hybrid assessments were shared.
ACHS hopes that our State / Territory based Assessor Forums for all our Assessors will similarly provide these opportunities to engage later in the year.
