National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS)
The National Standards for Mental Health Services (NSMHS) Standards, owned by the Australian Government Department of Health, were developed in 2010 as part of the National Mental Health Strategy. The NSMHS Standards are outcome-oriented and reflect a strong values base, related to human rights, dignity and empowerment.
The NSMHS Standards focus on mental health service delivery, policy direction compliance, communication and consent, and monitoring and governance procedures. The NSMHS Standards constantly support service providers to improve by focusing on areas such as service delivery, policies, standards, communication and consent, as well as consumer safety and privacy.
QIP is approved by the Australian Government Department of Health to accredit mental health services under the NSMHS and is dedicated to supporting mental health services throughout the accreditation process.
Who are the NSMHS Standards applicable to?
The NSMHS Standards are applicable to a broad range of mental health services across Australia, including:
- Bed-based services
- Community mental health services
- Clinical sector services
- Public mental health services
- Private hospitals
- Non-government community services
- Private office based mental health services
- Private sector services, and
- Services in primary care and general practice.
Download QIP's NSMHS flyer here
About the NSMHS
The NSMHS encompass key guiding principles consistent with national policy and requirements for the delivery of mental health services in Australia, including:
- Promotion of optimum quality of life for people with mental disorders and/or mental health problems
- A strong values base, related to human rights, dignity and empowerment
- Community participation in mental health service development, and
- A better national mental health system which emphasises comprehensive, coordinated and individualised care.
Why become accredited against the NSMHS?
Assessment against the NSMHS assists mental health services to continually improve and better support consumers by providing an improved service experience.
A number of the NSMHS focus on the experience of consumers and carers (rather than the mental health service) to measure the effectiveness of service delivery. Investment in staff and resources is essential for the provision of services that meet these consumer and carer Standards. This includes ongoing professional development, training and support.
Implementation of the NSMHS requires the involvement of staff, consumers and carers to ensure shared understanding and awareness of the NSMHS to be adopted and met by a particular service. Measurement of levels of achievement against the NSMHS also forms a means of accountability to consumers, carers, community, staff and funders.
How QIP supports organisations
Tailored support
QIP has trained QIP Client Liaison Teams on hand to answer any questions clients may have about their accreditation, certification or verification. With expert knowledge of each of the standards or frameworks, evidence requirements and the self-assessment process, QIP’s Client Liaison Teams provide clients with on-going advice throughout their cycle.
QIP’s accreditation hub
The QIP accreditation hub is an online platform tailored to each client’s individual accreditation timelines and framework requirements. It includes a personalised action plan, a resource library and a number of other features to support clients throughout their accreditation journey.
Access to AccreditationPro
QIP’s online self-assessment software, known as AccreditationPro, streamlines accreditation preparation by helping clients determine their organisation’s compliance with an applicable set of Standards.
Access to online resources and education
QIP’s online Education and Resource Library, provides clients with access to a range of practical, informative and customisable resources to support organisations in complying with the relevant industry Standards.
Regular news and e-newsletters
Stay up-to-date with industry and organisational news, helpful tips and your standards information with QIP communications including periodical e-newsletters advising of any changes to processes, systems, standards or evidence requirements are released.
Highly trained assessment teams
QIP’s Assessors are highly trained and qualified peer assessors who work across the Australian health, community and human services sectors. Our team will share their knowledge and support organisations through the accreditation assessment.
Celebrating the achievement of accreditation
Achieving QIP accreditation takes dedication, team work and a commitment to continuous quality improvement. When organisations achieve their accredited, certificated or verified status, they are provided with their own 'Promotional Toolkit' filled with a number of materials to celebrate and promote this achievement.
The QIP Accredited Symbol is one way consumers and local community can be reassured that an organisation has been recognised for their commitment to delivering a safe and quality-focused service.
Become part of our online community
Join us on social media to celebrate organisation achievements made within the health, community and human services sectors and to be kept up-to-date with the latest industry news and events, including QIP and AGPAL updates.
