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1. Suspension indicates a temporary withholding of accreditation status pending detailed investigation. Suspension is clearly distinguished from referral of a laboratory.
   
2. During this period, the department remains registered with CPA.
   
3. Suspension can be imposed and lifted only at Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) or Board level.
   
4. All instances of suspension by the PAC will be reported to the Board of CPA (UK) Ltd.
   
5. The outcome of suspension will normally be resolved within a maximum interval of 6 months from the date of suspension.
   
6. The Head of the laboratory concerned and the Chief Executive will be kept fully informed at all stages.
   
   Procedure
   
7. When CPA is informed of quality concerns, the Executive Manager will inform the relevant member of the PAC, the Chairman of the PAC, and the Chief Executive.
   
8. The Executive Manager will contact the Head of Department concerned to request further information on the matter(s) of concern. Documentary information may be requested. Information should be provided to CPA within 3 weeks.
   
9. Information provided will be reviewed at the first available meeting of the PAC. The Chairman of the PAC, the Chief Executive and Executive Manager will review it if the PAC is not scheduled to meet, in person or by teleconferencing, within 3 weeks.
   
10. If the information provided to the PAC does not substantiate the concerns reported, the Department will be informed in writing by the Chairman of the PAC.
    
11. If the information provided to the PAC does substantiate the concerns reported, the PAC will suspend the accreditation status of the department. This will be conveyed, in writing, to the Head of Department and the Trust Chief Executive (or equivalent) by the Chief Executive of CPA. A copy of this policy will accompany the letter of suspension.
    
12. If a department is suspended by CPA, an on-site assessment visit will be organised at the earliest opportunity. The Chief Executive will normally conduct this. The PAC Chairman may deputise to reduce any administrative delay.
    
13. A written report of the visit will be submitted to the PAC and the recommendations submitted to the Board for consideration at the earliest opportunity.
    
    Outcomes
    
14.  If, following consideration of the written report, the concerns regarding quality of the service are not substantiated; the accreditation status of the department will be reinstated forthwith and backdated accordingly to show unbroken status. An accredited department will continue to be accredited. A department with conditional approval will continue to have conditional approval.
    
15. If, following consideration of the written report, the concerns regarding quality of the service provided are substantiated, a previously accredited department may (i) have conditional approval imposed or (ii) in exceptional circumstances, be referred. A conditionally approved department may (i) be referred or (ii) have strict, time limits imposed on existing or additional conditions.
    
16. If corrective action is demonstrably pending, the suspended state may continue to a maximum of 6 months from the date of suspension.

Revised November 2003