Peel health services achieve accreditation

2 June 2009

Hunter New England Health facilities within the Peel Cluster have received official notification from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) that each facility has received full accreditation for a further two years.
 
Peel Cluster Acting General Manager Carole Young said the accreditation process was essential for ongoing improvements to clinical and management systems in the delivery of services.
 
“Obtaining accreditation is a significant achievement that shows our community that we are committed to delivering quality patient care and services,” Mrs Young said.
 
“It reinforces and validates the fact that health facilities throughout the Peel Cluster provide high-quality care, with a focus on continuous review and improvement. 

“It requires enormous co-operation and commitment from staff at all levels. Team members at all Peel facilities worked tirelessly over an extended period of time to achieve accreditation status, and their efforts were outstanding.”
 
The ACHS surveyors assess five key healthcare standards:
 
•     Continuum of Care
•     Information Management
•     Leadership and Management
•     Safe Practice and Environment
•     Human Resource management
 
“As part of this particular survey, the surveyors focused on the assessment of three of the five key standards; Continuum of Care, Safe Practice and Environment, and Human Resources,” Mrs Young said.

“The accreditation process ensures we are accountable for the care we provide and that the best systems are in place to identify and resolve problems, should they arise.”
 
Healthcare facilities in the Peel Cluster, including Tamworth and Nundle Community Health, Gunnedah Health Service, Barraba Multi Purpose Service, Manilla Community Hospital, Walcha Multi Purpose Service all received accreditation until mid 2011.

Accreditation is a continuous process. All NSW Health facilities are regularly surveyed to ensure that their efforts towards excellence are maintained.

Contact: Emma Gibbs,

Phone: (02) 6767 7137 or 0428 114 767