RNZCGP quality framework
Foundation Standard and Cornerstone® are developed by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. They include a variety of quality assurance and improvement goals relating to minimum patient safety and legal requirements, supporting New Zealand general practitioners and their teams.
The College's Quality framework is made up of two programmes - Foundation and Cornerstone.
The RNCGP framework is flexible for general practices wishing to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to quality and best practice.
Remember, HealthyPractice has resources to assist with meeting Foundation and Cornerstone standards and Pinnacle general practices are eligible for a 50 per cent subsidy on the HealthyPractice® subscription. Find out more about claiming your subsidy in the related resource section on our Wellbeing in general practice resource page.
Foundation Standard
The Foundation programme represents a collection of legislative, regulatory and clinical requirements for all general practices in Aotearoa New Zealand. It represents a nationally consistent benchmark by which a practice can measure its current quality of care and progress toward health equity outcomes.
To meet PHO Service Agreement Amendment Protocol (PSAAP) requirements and qualify for capitation funding, practices will need to complete the College’s revamped Foundation programme.
This standalone programme provides a baseline standard expected of a general practice. It is a requirement for the Cornerstone Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers.
Pinnacle will provide assessors to assess you against the standard which will be at no cost to your practice. This is one of the membership benefits of Pinnacle. You are still welcome to find your own assessor through the College website, but fees associated with the assessment process will be at your own cost.
Cornerstone
The new Cornerstone programme is modular, giving practices options. The College has introduced accreditation levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold.
Practices will need to complete two core modules: Equity and Continuous Quality Improvement, to maintain or be awarded Cornerstone Bronze accreditation. Practices can build on this, completing further modules to reach Silver or Gold status.