Developing quality assurance standards for health promotion practice in the UK

Abstract

The application of quality assurance principles from the wider health care field to health promotion practice has until recently been underdeveloped in the UK. A project to develop a framework for quality assurance in health promotion practice in England is described. An extensive consultation process identified six key functions of health promotion: strategic planning; programme management; monitoring and evaluation; education and training; resources and information; and advice and consultancy. Model standards and criteria were drawn up for each key function, together with guidance on implementation processes. The relationship between this quality assurance process and other approaches to accreditation of health promotion activity in settings is considered. Current implementation needs identified by practitioners include training on quality assurance, and dissemination of research findings on the effectiveness of health promotion interventions.