Quality Assurance Committees (QACs) are committees established for the purpose of improving the safety and quality of health services. QACs are established under Part 6, of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.
The key functions of a QAC include:
- assessing and evaluating health services
- reporting and making recommendations concerning the quality of health services
- monitoring the implementation of its recommendations.
The establishment of a QAC can encourage and facilitate the voluntary participation of persons to give information in a confidential and privileged environment. A person, who honestly and on reasonable grounds gives information to a QAC, is not subject to liability for giving the information and no action, claim or demand may be taken or made of or against the person for giving the information.
The members of a QAC, and those assisting a QAC to perform its functions, are subject to very strict confidentiality provisions – severe penalties apply to persons who breach confidentiality.
Information or documents given to a QAC, or created by or for a QAC, cannot be accessed under any judicial or administrative orders and are not admissible in any legal proceedings. Similarly, the members of a QAC and those assisting a QAC cannot be called to give evidence in legal proceedings. The Guide, Establishing and managing quality assurance committees (PDF, 473KB) explains the functions, obligations, responsibilities and protections associated with membership of a committee.
Need further information
Contact us via email: Quality-Assurance-Committee@health.qld.gov.au
