QMS Begins Accreditation Project for NSW Problem Gambling Treatment Services

The NSW Office of Liquor Gaming and Racing has engaged Quality Management Services (QMS) to assist problem gambling treatment services in NSW to achieve quality improvement under the Quality Improvement Council (QIC) Standards and Accreditation Program. The project is a response to recommendations made by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPGT) report on the gambling industry (2005) and the response of the NSW Government to the report (2006). It covers state, non-government and private problem gambling services funded by the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund (RGF). Funding for the project has also been provided by the RGF.

QMS will use a process which engages problem gambling services in internal and external reviews against a common set of standards promoting quality in governance, service delivery and community development. The service delivery standards include elements developed by QMS which are specific to the treatment of problem gambling and which draw on the Victorian Problem Gambling Service Standards funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services.

An important premise of the process is that service planning and evaluation are meaningless if they do not engage those for whom the service is intended. Service providers will therefore engage with their consumers and other target groups to find out how their service can best meet their needs.

Other important players will be organisations that make referrals to, or receive referrals from problem gambling treatment services. These stakeholders have a specific and special perspective on how the service under review is meeting the needs of its community, and can shed light on actions that may provide a more comprehensive partnership that will improve consumer outcomes and aid the target group as a whole.

All RGF-funded services in NSW have been notified of the project and are currently viewing the draft service delivery standards referred to above. Enrolments are also being received. For further information, contact Rebecca Smith, Project Officer (PGTS), Quality Management Services, 02 9212 1433 rebecca.s@qms.org.au.

QMS is an independent, not-for-profit organisation providing quality improvement services to human service organisations to improve outcomes for their users, their staff and their communities.

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