McIntyre cluster health services accreditation survey undertaken

Hunter New England Health’s McIntyre Cluster of health services, which includes Inverell Hospital and Community Health Centre, as well as Bingara, Tingha and Warialda Hospitals and Ashford and Bundarra Community Health Centres, underwent their accreditation survey last week with the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS)

All NSW Health facilities are regularly surveyed to ensure that their efforts towards excellence are maintained.

McIntyre Cluster General Manager, Lynne Shands, said all health services with Hunter New England Health are accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS), which involves a number of external reviewers scrutinising all aspects of service under five key standards, which include:
• Continuum of Care
• Information Management
• Leadership and Management
• Safe Practice and Environment
• Human Resource management

“The four day accreditation survey held last week, audited all aspects of each of our health services operation,” Mrs Shands said.

“As the process of accreditation is ongoing staff are continuously analysing procedures and performance against national standards, and to demonstrate compliance they compile an evidence file for the team of external reviewers to review.

“It was a very comprehensive process. It enabled us to see several areas where we could focus our attention to demonstrate better performance, and it was very encouraging to get a lot of positive feedback too.

“I particularly wish to congratulate the Community Health and Multi Purpose Service (MPS) managers, who were described as the ‘shining stars’ of the survey,” she said.

Mrs Shands said the official advice of the Cluster achieving accreditation will be received within a relatively short timeframe and they anticipate a positive outcome.

“Accreditation takes a great deal of co-operation and I thank all the staff involved. Achieving accreditation is an important way to show the community that we conform to industry standards,” she said.

Media inquiries: Kay Cope (Communications)  Ph: 6776 9817  Ref: HNE-1013

Contact: Kay Cope

Phone: 6776 9817