About the QNLD inpatient network
The QNLD inpatient network aims to facilitate quality improvement through a supportive network and peer-review process, using standards based on national guidelines and agreed on by network members.
We work with services to identify areas for improvement and achievement. We adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to quality improvement in learning disability services. The model is one of engagement and reflection rather than inspection. A key component of our work is the sharing of best practice by listening to and being led by those who work, use and engage with services.
Membership types
There are two different types of QNLD Membership: a developmental membership and an accreditation membership.
- Are new members of the network who’ve not had experience with the standards before.
- Want to focus on the specific areas of the standards that are most useful to them.
- Want to work on recommendations from a recent CQC visit.
- Want to prepare for accreditation in the future.
What’s involved?
- You’ll self-review your service against the network’s standards over a three-month period. You will have the option to collect feedback from patients, staff and carers, complete health record audits and provide evidence.
- A peer review team made up of multidisciplinary staff from other member services, a patient or carer representative and a member of the QNLD project team will visit your service for one day. The peer review team will meet with staff, patients and carers throughout the day and help you identify your areas of achievements and ways to improve your service.
- Following the visit, the project team provide your service with a report summarising performance against the standards and the discussions on the review day. You will be supported to create an action plan to address any improvements that have been suggested.
The accreditation membership option operates as a more comprehensive process of both the self and peer review.
This membership option is ideal for services that:
- Are familiar with the QNLD standards and feel they are meeting the required standards for Accreditation.
- Have previously been through the developmental or accreditation process.
What’s involved?
- You’ll self-review your service against the standards over a three-month period. This will include compulsory completion of patient, carer, staff questionnaires, a health record audit. You will also need to provide documentary evidence to show compliance against our standards.
- A peer review team made up of multidisciplinary staff members from other member services, a patient or carer representative and a member of the QNLD project team will visit your service for one day and help you identify your areas of achievements, and ways to improve your service.
- The project team will provide your service with a report summarising your performance against the standards and the discussions on the review day.
- Further evidence can be provided for any unmet standards.
- Your draft report will be discussed by our QNLD accreditation committee who will decide if your service is to be accredited.
If awarded, accreditation lasts up to three years subject to terms and conditions.
Governance of the network
The QNLD process is managed and governed by college staff and committees. More detail about each group can be found below:
The Advisory Group comprises professionals who represent key interests and areas of expertise in the field of inpatient and community learning disability services alongside carers who have experience of using these services. The purpose of the group is to advise and further the work of QNLD.
The Advisory Group comprises a minimum of 6 members and a maximum of 15 members. The membership will aim to reflect the range of disciplines working in inpatient and community learning disability services.
The Accreditation Committee recommends accreditation status based on the evidence gathered during the self and peer review period. In particular, it looks closely at any instances of non-compliance with Type 1 Standards. The committee consists of members from across the disciplines who are experts in the field of learning disability services, alongside carer representatives.
There is an overall Chair of the Combined Committee Meetings who oversees all network committees and ratifies the decisions recommended by the QNLD Accreditation Committee. This ensures consistency across all of the Quality and Accreditation networks. The Chair of the Combined Committee has the right to overturn any decisions made by the QNLD Accreditation Committee.
The Accreditation Committee also functions to advise the Project Team about the quality of the reports and information that forms the basis of recommendations to services.
The Project Team look after the day to day running of the network including liaising with services, collecting data and arranging reviews and events.
If you have any questions, please contact us.
How we use your data
Any data that we collect is handled according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ (the College) Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) privacy notice.
The College is the data controller for the information you provide to us as part of a CCQI project. For more information about how the CCQI handles data please read the College privacy notice.