Whilst it is possible to go directly for an accreditation survey first time, we strongly recommend pre-survey visits. The idea of accreditation may be quite new to your organisation and staff and understanding the process is of great benefit for the survey proper. It also allows us at QHA Trent to understand your circumstances and your services. At such visits, we are very willing to provide consultancy advice during our stay to help you prepare and also help identify areas which may need early attention.

An accreditation survey should not be undertaken lightly, and it requires the leadership and direction from the very highest level of your organisation for it to be successful. We have a great deal of senior experience available at QHA Trent to help with this.


What happens at a survey?
We will be guided by you for when a survey is to be done. We can be flexible but usually require at least six weeks notice to enable rearrangement of clinical commitments of our surveyors.

We will be responsible for the arrangement of surveyors and their travel but flight and accommodation expenses will form part of the overall invoice. The number of surveyors depends on the size of your facility. We will always ensure an appropriate mix of surveyors’ skills for you and let you know who is visiting.

During their stay, we may ask you to facilitate transfer arrangements to and from your organisation, and to provide refreshments for surveyors during their working day.

After an initial orientation meeting, surveyors will visit allocated clinical or support services areas to conduct surveys. It is important that all members of staff are informed that the survey is taking place and that surveyors may ask questions about their work and the facilities. Our surveyors will always do this in a friendly non-threatening way and a culture of openness is very much welcomed. Sometimes more than one surveyor may visit an area because this helps triangulate opinions and make sure that a balanced report is given. It is not necessary for a chaperone to be provided, but an interpreter may sometimes be required.

Surveyors will not intrude on clinical activity and certainly never compromise patient dignity or confidentiality. They will sometimes however, ask patients their opinions of the facilities and treatment they have received in general terms.

Surveyors will compile the detail of their reports during their stay. At the end of the survey, general feedback will be provided. It is an excellent team building exercise to have as many leaders as possible to receive this feedback.

Feedback will never criticise an individual and recommendations for improvement will be general and be equally accompanied by positive commendations. It is not possible, however, for the surveyors to give you direction on whether accreditation will be granted: this is a matter for the independent Accreditation Award Panel.