National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards
ACHS is approved by ACSQHC (the Commission) to assess healthcare organisations to the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health (NSQDMH) Standards.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) released the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health (NSQDMH) Standards in November 2020, in collaboration with consumers, carers, families, clinicians, service providers and technical experts.
The National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health (NSQDMH) Standards aim to improve the quality of digital mental health service provision, and to protect service users and their support people from harm.
The NSQDMH Standards provide a nationally consistent quality assurance that relevant systems are in place to ensure expected standards of safety and quality are met.
Defining a Digital Mental Health Standard
A digital mental health service is defined as a mental health, suicide prevention or alcohol and other drug service that uses technology to facilitate engagement and deliver care. Providers include non-government, public or private organisations, or individuals who make a digital mental health service available for others to use. Services may be delivered by:
• Telephone (incl. mobile phone)
• Videoconferences
• Online (incl. web chats)
• SMS
• Mobile health applications (apps)
Three NSQDMH Standards
There are three NSQDMH Standards that cover:
• Clinical and Technical Governance Standard
• Partnering with Consumers
• Model of Care Standard
Accreditation Process and Duration
The ACHS NSQDMH Standards Accreditation Program is a three year program that consists of one assessment which is completed in two stages: Desktop Review & Verification Visit.
Assessment Outcome
Three years accreditation is awarded if all applicable actions are rated met or met with recommendation. Working towards accreditation is awarded if more than half the applicable actions (but not all applicable actions) are rated met or met with recommendation.
Are you a Digital Mental Health service provider?
ACHS has provided accreditation services for many years to specialist mental health services. We currently accredit over 150 mental health services Australia wide.
If your health service organisation provides digital mental health services, please contact us to find out how ACHS can assist by filling in the form or call 02 9281 9955.
