Changes to accreditation process in light of COVID-19 

The Royal College of Physicians Accreditation Unit are aiming to restart accreditation assessments in September. This means that services can submit their self-assessments from 1 July, ready for a site assessment from 1 September.

For the remainder of 2020, to reduce risk to members of the public, lay assessors will not be present on site though will play a crucial role in the assessment remotely.

We are adapting the assessments so that some parts can be carried out remotely and through video communication. However, we know how important it is to physically be on site to review the environment and meet the senior team and so some part of the assessment will aim to continue as normal, with the remaining two assessors on site for a shorter day.

The exact format of the day will depend on the government guidance and the particular Trust/Organisation's policies at the time of the assessment.