ISQua EEA is pleased to announce the publication of the 6th Edition of the Guidelines and Principles for the Development of Health and Social Care Standards (The Principles). The 6th Edition Principles are the result of an in-depth collaborative revision process and introduce new themes to reflect the evolving health and social care landscape.
They are designed to challenge external evaluation organisations and standards developing organisations to embrace a more holistic and forward-thinking model of care delivery. The 6th Edition Principles provide a roadmap to facilitate significant improvements in quality, patient outcomes, and organisational resilience.
The new edition of the Principles can be downloaded HERE.
The 6th Edition Principles introduce three new areas of content, including:
Sustainable Care encouraging health and social care organisations to adopt a proactive approach, by assessing their environmental impact, transitioning to renewable energy sources, and cultivating a culture of environmental stewardship. By integrating sustainability principles, organisations can enhance their public image, reduce operational costs, and contribute to a healthier planet.
Digital Care and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems for Care emphasising the importance of safe and ethical AI implementation, ensuring equitable access to digital services, and prioritising staff training and support. By embracing these advancements, organisations can improve patient access to care, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and personalise treatment plans, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
Supporting the Care Workforce prioritises workforce well-being within health and social care organisations, recognising its critical role in delivering high-quality care. By fostering a culture of safety, promoting professional development, and addressing issues of equity and inclusion, organisations can attract and retain top talent, improve staff morale, and reduce burnout.
The 6th Edition of the Principles also marks a change in the ISQua EEA methodology for assessing sets of health and social care standards. The 4-point rating scale has been replaced by a 3-point rating scale and the numerical model for the awarding of accreditation has been replaced by a risk-based assessment approach. All details are contained in the 6th Edition Principles.
All standards will be assessed against the 6th Edition from July 2026 onwards. Organisations with survey dates from July 2025 – June 2026 may elect to be surveyed against either the 5th or 6th Edition of the Principles.
More information can be found on the ISQua EEA website.
