Accreditation Canada’s Standards for Public Health Services were prepared in response to a growing demand for excellence in Canadian health services, system-wide changes in structures for health care delivery, and the increasing need for public accountability.
The standards address the five core functions of a public health system: health assessment, health surveillance, health promotion, health protection, and disease and injury prevention. The approach taken to address these functions will differ according to each organization’s size, structure, and mandate.
These standards contain the following subsections:
Building knowledge and understanding needs
This subsection addresses two of the core public health functions: population health assessment and health surveillance. It also addresses the supports needed to maintain an effective public health information system.
Creating networks and mobilizing partners
This subsection addresses the processes needed to develop networks and partnerships to improve public health and to address the core public health functions.
Developing policy and designing services
This subsection addresses processes for impacting healthy public policy. It also deals with the design of programs and services, the specific professional competencies to deliver these services, and how research, best practice information and evidence are used by the organization.
Engaging prepared and proactive staff
This subsection addresses the need for public health services staff that are educated, trained, qualified, and competent. It also addresses the value of promoting healthy worklife balance of team members.
Delivering public health services
This subsection addresses three of the core public health functions: health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and health protection. It also addresses the supports needed for dealing with public health emergencies.
Achieving positive public health outcomes
This subsection addresses processes for monitoring quality and improving public health programs and services.