The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

Cycle One

658 practices have been accredited in Cycle 1 as of 2 November 2011.

Cycle 1 of the CORNERSTONE programme is self-funded.

CORNERSTONE provides a way for us all to make sure we are doing the right things the right way for our patients. We have had a lot of positive feedback from practices that have undergone the process, telling us they got so much more out of it than just the accreditation such as team-building, discovering better systems and processes, and changing the practice dynamics. 

Preparing for an assessment usually takes about 10–12 months, supported by specific software and resources that we will provide you. Your practice would then be assessed by CORNERSTONE assessors over one working day.

CORNERSTONE assessors are GPs, practice managers and nurses who will systematically review your practice against Aiming for Excellence. When all mandatory criteria are met, HDANZ will recommend your practice for accreditation. Accreditation lasts for three years

For further details including the cost please contact our QI Coordinator.

Cycle Two

Practices entering the re-accreditation programme and who wish to be assessed by 31 December 2011 can choose to be reviewed against Aiming for Excellence 2009 or the new 2011 version.  Practices that choose to have an assessment after 1 January 2012 will be required to use the 2011 version.  

Cycle 2 and beyond will remain self-funded. From 1 April 2012, two funding options will be made available. Practices can choose either a triennial assessment or to engage in an annual quality improvement process with an abridged triennial assessment at an annual cost per FTE general practitioner or general registrant.  

For further details about the cost of re-accreditation please contact our QI Coordinator.