The Cornerstone Modules
Cornerstone is a voluntary programme that consists of two modules general practices can do after they have completed the Foundation Standard, or alongside it. Modules can be worked on one at a time or at the same time.
The Cornerstone Modules support general practices to:
- improve the health care they offer
- work towards equitable health care outcomes for all, including Māori as tangata whenua
- work together as a tīma
- learn in a flexible way, in subject areas that are suited to their interests and the needs of their patients.
Tiered accreditation
There are two core modules that practices start with:
After three years, practices will need to complete a reaccreditation module for each module to maintain their tier status.

When practices have finished these two modules, they will be awarded bronze tier accreditation. The College plans to develop other modules that will allow a practice to achieve silver and then gold tier accreditation.
Achieving Cornerstone Bronze accreditation helps align practices with the New Zealand Health Strategy and signals to patients that the care they receive is equitable and of high quality.
Reaccreditation modules
Each Cornerstone module has a three-year accreditation period. After this, the practice will need to complete a reaccreditation module to maintain accreditation.