About QN-Neuro
The Quality Network for Neuropsychiatry Services (QN-Neuro) launched in 2024 to promote quality improvement within and between neuro services.
We adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to quality improvement in neuro services. A key component of our work is the sharing of best practice by listening to and being led by staff, patients and carers.
We want to identify areas for improvement through a culture of openness and enquiry. The model is one of engagement rather than inspection. We aim to facilitate quality improvement through a supportive network and peer review process.
The Quality Network for Neuropsychiatry Services (QN-Neuro) supports services working with people experiencing neurological diseases and associated psychiatric symptoms and/or acquired or traumatic brain injury with psychiatric complications. Launched in 2024, QN-Neuro aims to standardise the quality of care being provided by neuro services across the UK.
QN-Neuro sits within the Royal College of Psychiatrist’ Centre for Quality Improvement (CCQI) which is focused around facilitating peer support between services to share learning and areas of best practice. This is carried out through a multi-disciplinary peer review model, which is explained below.
All new members to the network, including all members for year 1 (2024-25) will join as developmental members. We will be launching accreditation in year 2 (2025-26).
There are three stages to the peer review process:
1. Self-review
The self-review stage is a three-month long period of data collection where your team will:
- rate yourselves against each standard, stating whether you think you meet it or not
- complete a brief audit of case notes
- each complete a staff questionnaire
- ask your referrers to complete a questionnaire
- ask patients and their carers to complete a questionnaire.
2. Peer review
You’ll be given 4 weeks between the self- and peer review stages so that you can look through your data and begin to implement any changes.
A review team made up of at least two professionals from other Neuro member services and a member of the central QN-Neuro team, will then visit your service to discuss the self-review data.
The data collected from both the self- and peer review will then be used to write a report. The report will highlight your achievements, and provide recommendations to support you to meet or exceed the quality standards.
Developmental members will be sent their report to use as part of their internal quality improvement processes, as they move towards Accreditation membership.
Services on the Accreditation pathway will then be given one month to make any changes before being presented to the QN-Neuro Accreditation Committee (AC).
3. Accreditation
In year 2 (2025-26), services will have the option to move over to accreditation membership. The peer review process is the same as for developmental. However, your report and any further evidence to support unmet standards will be presented to our Accreditation Committee (AC) for review. The AC will then recommend an accreditation status for you. There are three categories of accreditation status:
‘Accredited’ – for teams that meet:
100% of Type 1 standards
80% of Type 2 standards
60% of Type 3 standards
'Accreditation Deferred' - for teams that:
Do not meet all Type 1 standards but show they will be able to
Do not meet enough Type 2 or 3 standards but show they will be able to
Do not meet a significant number of standards in one particular area.
‘Not Accredited’ – for teams that:
Do not meet the number of standards needed, and do not show they will be able to within a reasonable time
Do not submit sufficient self-review data
Your team will be given time, guidance and support to reach Accreditation.
We have three membership options available on QN-Neuro, described below. All services joining the network will begin on the developmental membership. If you have any queries about the membership options, please get in touch with us.
Developmental membership
Developmental membership is the starting point for all services new to the QN-Neuro peer review process. It is designed to support services as they work towards meeting sufficient thresholds of standards to move towards Accreditation.
Membership includes:
- the peer review process, including all documentation for your self-review, peer review visit, and reports which outline your achievements and suggested approaches to improvement.
- targeted support from the QN-Neuro project team as you work towards becoming an accredited service.
- Peer reviewer training for memory service staff.
- opportunities for staff to visit other neuro services as peer reviewers.
- free places at our online events.
- Series of learning events annually.
- access to Knowledge Hub, the QN-Neuro online discussion forum.
- newsletters providing updates and sharing good practice
- listing on the QN-Neuro website as a developmental member.
Developmental membership costs £3,250 + VAT per year. Services can also access a 5% discount by buying a three-year membership.
Accreditation membership
Accreditation membership is designed for services which are meeting the majority of QN-Neuro standards and have already completed 1 year as a developmental member.
Receiving accreditation demonstrates a recognised badge of quality, demonstrating that the service has been through a rigorous external assessment and is demonstrating high compliance with quality standards.
Membership includes:
- the peer review process, including all documentation for your self-review, peer review visit, and reports which outline your achievements and suggested approaches to improvement.
- the option to work towards becoming an accredited service.
- Peer reviewer training for memory service staff.
- opportunities for staff to visit other neuro services as peer reviewers.
- free places at our online events.
- Series of learning events annually.
- year-round support from the QN-Neuro Team and Accreditation Committee to support you to meet the standards.
- access to Knowledge Hub, the QN-Neuro online discussion forum.
- newsletters providing updates and sharing good practice.
- certificate of accreditation.
- listing on the QN-Neuro website as a member service, or an accredited service if applicable.
Accreditation membership costs £3,250 + VAT per year. Services can also access a 5% discount by buying a three-year membership.
Affiliate membership
Affiliate membership of QN-Neuro is for community/outpatient neuro services only. Affiliate members will be able to benefit from access to the network and the support of peers, with the eventual aim of achieving accreditation.
Affiliate membership costs £600 + VAT per service for a one year period. If affiliate members register for either developmental or accreditation membership within this one year period, the £600 will be deducted from the first year's subscription fee!
Affiliate membership includes:
- peer reviewer training for memory service staff.
- reduced price delegate places at some QN-Neuro events.
- opportunities for staff to visit other memory clinics as peer reviewers.
- access to Knowledge Hub, the QN-Neuro online discussion forum.
- newsletters providing updates and sharing good practice.
- certificate of QN-Neuro affiliate membership.
- listing on the QN-Neuro website as an affiliated member.
Affiliate membership does not include:
- a peer review visit from a multidisciplinary team of reviewers
- a detailed report of the self-review and peer review findings
- QN-Neuro accreditation.