Clinical services capability framework guideline

Guideline number: QH-HSDGDL-032-4

Effective date: 20 September 2026

Review date: 20 September 2029

Supersedes: 2.0

On this page:

1. Purpose
2. Scope
3. Self-assessing and reporting
4. Human Rights
5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander considerations
6. Supporting and related documents
7. Forms and templates
8. References
9. Authorising Health Service Directive
10. Business contact area
11. Approval and implementation
12. Review
13. Version control
14. Change table

1. Purpose

This Guideline describes Queensland Health’s process for complying with the Clinical Services Capability Framework (CSCF). The CSCF identifies and measures the provision of public sector health services to Queenslanders through Hospital and Health Services (HHSs).

2. Scope

This Guideline applies to all HHSs.

3. Self-assessing and reporting under the clinical services capability framework

3.1 Self-assessing and reporting

3.1.1 HHSs must ensure that:

1. all hospitals/relevant facilities have undertaken a baseline self-assessment against the current CSCF
2. the Department of Health is notified through the established public hospital CSCF notification process of:

• permanent CSCF levels for new health services prior to the services   commencing,
• permanent CSCF level changes for existing services.

3.1.2 HHS Chief Executives are accountable for attesting to the accuracy of the information contained in their CSCF self-assessment submitted to the Department.

3.1.3  HHSs should undertake and complete a whole of HHS permanent CSCF self-assessment within 5 years of the date of the last self-assessment and submit changes to the Department. The date each HHS last self-assessed is available on the Department’s publicly available CSCF web page.

3.2 Temporary suspension or permanent cessation of a health service

3.2.1 The Department and a HHS may terminate or temporarily change a CSCF self-assessed health service level by mutual agreement. The proposed termination or temporary change must be made in writing to the Department.

1. A temporary change may result from, but is not exclusively due to, limitations in workforce capacity or issues regarding   the safety or quality of the services provided.
2. A termination means the permanent cessation of a health service by a HHS.
3. A temporary CSCF level change means the service is either reduced or ceases for a period of three months or less.

The Department may not support a request from a HHS to terminate or temporarily change the CSCF level of a health service and may require the HHS to maintain the service. Funding provided by the Department for the health service may cease.

4. Human rights

Human rights are not engaged by this Guideline.

5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander considerations

The development and implementation of the CSCF modules takes into consideration impacts related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

6. Supporting and related documents

• Department of Health established public hospital CSCF notification process
• Patient Safety Health Service Directive

7. Forms and templates

• Department of Health established public hospital CSCF notification process

8. References

• The Clinical Services Capability Framework modules.

9. Authorising Health Service Directive

• Patient Safety Health Service Directive

10. Business area contact

• Patient Safety and Quality – PSQ_Corro@health.qld.gov.au

11. Approval and implementation

Guideline custodian
Executive Director, Patient Safety and Quality, Clinical Excellence Queensland.

Approving officer
Deputy Director-General, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Department of Health.
Approval date: 20 September 2026
Effective from: 20 September 2026

12. Review

This Health Service Directive Guideline will be reviewed at least every three years.

Next review due by: 20 September 2029

13. Version control

14. Change table

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CLASSIFICATION – OFFICIAL – PUBLIC