Standards › Standard S3 › Policies
Policy · PHC-POL-002 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: System S3 (Primary care practice), criterion S3.2
At a glance
- The practice keeps a written list of the conditions it manages.
- Staff know the route for every condition not on the list.
- The list is reviewed every year.
- Changes to the list are agreed by the clinical lead.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a patient is managed for a condition not on the list, with no decision recorded.
1. Purpose
To make clear what the practice can and cannot manage, so that patients get the right care in the right place (S3.2).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
A practice that does not know which conditions it manages will send everything elsewhere, or manage things it cannot. A written list of managed conditions and a clear referral route keep first-contact care safe.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical lead | Owns the list and the routes | Clinician |
| Clinicians | Manage listed conditions; refer others by the route | Trained |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Write the list.
- List the conditions the practice manages, with the standard of care for each.
Key point: The list is the agreement.
Step 2. Set the route.
- For each condition not on the list, write the referral route.
Key point: Staff should not have to guess.
Step 3. Review.
- Review the list each year and when guidance changes.
Key point: Guidance changes; the list must follow.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| List reviewed in the last 12 months | 100% | Yearly | Clinical lead | Escalate to chief executive |
| Staff who know the route | At least 70% | Yearly | Clinical lead | Retrain |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| PHC-SOP-001 | Routing conditions not managed | Route used in step 2 |
| PHC-SOP-003 | Referral criteria and tracking | Referral |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
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References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)