Part B: Health Facility Briefing & Design
Planning Preliminaries
Appendix 1 – Role Delineation Guide
Interpretation
The Clinical Services Capability & Role Delineation Framework (CSCRDF) for public and licensed private
health facilities outlines the clinical services health facilities may provide. The document describes service
level capability rather than the overall capability of a health facility. A service refers to clinical services e.g.
surgical or maternity services, provided under the auspices of an organisation or facility, whereas the
facility refers to the physical structure or organisation that operates a number of services of similar or
differing capability level.
Within the Framework, clinical services are categorised into up to six capability levels, with RDL 1
managing the least complex patients and RDL 6 managing the highest level of patient complexity.
As a general rule, RDLs build on previous service level capability. For instance, a service nominated as
having RDL 6 capability should have all the capabilities of clinical services up to RDL 5 plus additional
capabilities resourcing the most highly complex clinical service. Each RDL provides the additional
capabilities representing the minimum requirements for that level. Where classification by RDL is between
two levels, in-between RDLs can also be considered, i.e. RDL 3/4.
Service, infrastructure and workforce characteristics described in the Framework are a guide only and
should not be seen as prescriptive. In the event a service cannot meet all requirements of a CSCF/RDL
level, this may be resolved through development, endorsement (by the chief executive of the
service/facility) and implementation of mitigating risk strategies to ensure delivery of safe and sustainable
health care.
Role delineation provides health planners and providers with a common language to describe services
available and minimum support services required for safe delivery. The exercise of delienating health and
clinical service roles should be coorindated with the health authority governing the region and have a
flexible approach in achieving service levels to best meet the needs of the community.
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Health Facility Guidelines © TAHPI 2024 Page 6
Part B: Health Facility Briefing & Design
Planning Preliminaries
Appendix 1 – Role Delineation Guide
RDL 6
Moderate to high complexity inpatient and ambulatory care services by
general and specialist pracitioners with specialist diagnostic and clinical
support services, provision of education, teaching and research
RDL 5
Moderate to high complexity inpatient and ambulatory care
services by general and specialist pracitioners with
specialist diagnostic and clinical support services, provision
of education and teaching
RDL 4
Moderate complexity inpatient and ambulatory care
Complexity of Care
services by general and specialist pracitioners with some
specialist diagnostic and clinical support services
RDL 3
Low to moderate complexity inpatient and ambulatory care services
by general and specialist pracitioners with access to specialist
diagnostic and clinical support services
RDL 2
Low complexity ambulatory care services by general and specialist pracitioners
RDL 1
Low complexity ambulatory care services by single practitioner
International
Health Facility Guidelines © TAHPI 2024 Page 7
