APS response to draft Principles to strengthen the involvement of consumers in accreditation

The APS is a strong advocate for consumer perspectives to be embedded throughout all activities of the health ecosystem. Research suggests that authentic co-production of service-design based on a diversity of perspective can result in robust decision making and improved healthcare quality.  In this way, we suggest a diversity of perspective, including those from consumers, those with a lived or living experience and their carers as well as health professionals will result in more considered and balanced accreditation processes.

Overall, we agree with the principles and how they are conceptualised, however we have identified another two principles which would be beneficial to include:

1. Consumer involvement should be authentic and not tokenistic

2. Consumer involvement in accreditation should be respectful, empathetic, and culturally and psychologically safe 

In addition, we would like to commend the inclusion of the following aspects. In doing so, we would highlight their importance in the next stages of implementation:

• Embedding the consumer voice into all levels of governance structures (Principle 1) 

• Proactively seeking representation from marginalised groups (Principle 5)

• Flexibility in the strategies to enable the involvement of consumers (Principle 5)

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