The quality standards for health and social care: supporting good governance and best practice in the HPSS

This document sets out the quality standards that the Department considers people should expect from Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) in Northern Ireland. The standards have been developed around the five themes of: Corporate Leadership and Accountability of Organisations; Safe and Effective Care; Accessible, Flexible and Responsive Services; Promoting, Protecting and Improving Health and Social Well-being; and Effective Communication and Information. After discussing the values and principles underpinning the standards and the format of the standards, each of the five themes are discussed in more detail. It is intended that the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA), in conjunction with the HPSS, service users and carers, will agree how the standards will be interpreted to assess service quality. The standards will be regularly reviewed and updated.