Primary Health Care Services

Health Standards Organization (HSO) is developing a new edition of the Primary Health Care Services standard.

The new edition will provide evidence-based guidance on delivering safe, equitable, people-centred, comprehensive, coordinated, and continuous care in primary health care service settings that meet the needs and preferences of clients, caregivers and communities served. It applies to all populations, all ages, and all primary health care settings including public health, primary care, and community health services, covering a range of health and well-being services considering the social determinants of health from health promotion, illness prevention, chronic disease management, and population health management. This is inclusive of the integration of health and social services, social medicine, social prescribing, system navigation, and social care.

The standard will address organizational roles, planning, performance, safety, risk, equity-informed and people-centred care, and quality improvement. It will include measurable, outcome-based requirements to enhance primary health care quality and safety. 

The standard will provide clear requirements and accountabilities to support primary health care services clients, caregivers, providers, leaders, and other interest holders in achieving: 

• safe, equitable, people-centred, and comprehensive care and services for clients and families, considering the social determinants of health, the continuum of care, and care across the lifespan; 
• coordinated, continuous and integrated care and services;
• a healthy, safe, skilled, and competent workforce in team-based environments; and 

• a culture of quality improvement and outcomes-focus.

   

This new edition will replace the current NSC CAN/HSO 34015:2020 Primary Health Care Services.