The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) welcomes the publication of Commissioning services for people with hearing loss by NHS England. The new guidance places a strong and clear emphasis on the requirement for audiology services to attain accreditation through the RCP's Improving Quality In Physiological Services (IQIPS) programme.
The guidance framework aimed at commissioners of audiology services was launched last week, supported by Professor Sue Hill, chief scientific officer, and Jim Fitzpatrick, MP for Poplar and Limehouse.
IQIPS is a recognised marker of excellence in patient care and in reducing variances in audiology services.
The IQIPS scheme assesses physiological services across England to ensure they provide high quality diagnosis and care, delivered by skilled staff working in safe environments. Speaking during a House of Commons debate on 30 June 2016, Jim Fitzpatrick said: 'IQIPS is a recognised marker of excellence in patient care and in reducing variances in audiology services.'
Dr Kerry Tinkler, clinical lead for IQIPS, praised the new NHS England guidance:
We are pleased to see the RCP’s IQIPS accreditation scheme positioned as a key prerequisite for audiology services in England. The guideline provides a comprehensive framework that enables commissioners to support services in driving high quality, person-centred care.
IQIPS, hosted by the RCP and delivered by UKAS [United Kingdom Accreditation Service], has seen a really positive increase in the number of services electing to participate in the accreditation programme, serving as an invaluable benchmark of competency and service delivery.
This promising surge affirms and clearly demonstrates the status of IQIPS as an exemplar of healthcare accreditation.
To find more information on IQIPS you can visit the programme's website.