CHKS Healthcare Standards Accredited Until 2027

Introduction:  

We are delighted to report that the CHKS Standards for Health and Care Organisations were accredited by ISQUA’s External Evaluation Association for a period of four years until July 2027.   

The surveyors report, commented on the focus of the standards on quality improvement, in particular the surveyors mentioned,  “This important attention to performance and quality improvement, that raises the bar for participating organisations, which will ultimately improve the quality and effectiveness of their services for patients/service users and their families” 

What is ISQua? 

The International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) runs an International Accreditation Programme for external evaluation programmes, like CHKS. This provides independent third-party assessment to validate their existing systems and drive continuous quality improvement. ISQua provide assessment of:  

Accreditation of Health and Social Care Standards 

Accreditation of External Evaluation Organisations 

Accreditation of Surveyor Training Programmes.    

What are Accredited Standards and why do they matter for an accreditation provider like CHKS?  

Compliance with the ISQua Principles for the Development of Health and Social Care Standards ensures that the CHKS standards reflect internationally recognised standards of best practice, which in turn ensures that accredited organisations are working to international best practice guidelines.   

What is the ISQua evaluation process? How did they assess CHKS?  

The evaluation process involves international surveyors from ISQua’s EEA programme who undertook a thorough review of all CHKS standards criteria and guidance and our standards development processes. Our broad approach and use of terminology means that our library of standards is applicable to all health and care organisations, from large acute providers to very small single-handed practitioners.  

Overall CHKS gained an overall score of 97% compliance.  Standards areas achieving 100% compliance included the standards measurement process, safety and risk standards and quality performance standards.   

How does this benefit healthcare providers that are being evaluated by CHKS?  

Organisations meeting the CHKS Standards can be assured that the following principles are embedded in their practice. 

Strong leadership 
Leading by example, with a clear vision, strategic direction and engagement with stakeholders. 

Effective governance 
Structures, accountabilities and responsibilities are clearly defined with internal and external reporting mechanisms well-defined and evidenced.  

Comprehensive risk and safety management 
Safety focused policies, procedures and protocols, and tools in place across the patient pathway and the organisation. 

Patient focused 
Needs led care is promoted, supporting co-production and self-management and listening to personal goals. 

Patient and family experience 
Engaging with patients and families to gather feedback on patient and carer experience, listening to patient voices, to support the development of services. 

Staff engagement and development 
Valuing and engaging with staff, sustainable employment, restructuring, re-training, redeployment and retention, providing employee support for long term career satisfaction. 

Quality improvement 
Nurturing a culture of learning and embedding quality improvement throughout service, setting and monitoring performance measures, quality improvement plans, projects and audit. 

This provides assurance to all stakeholders, including commissioners, patients and external monitoring organisations, that a thorough framework is in place for the delivery of good quality and safe health care.