McIntyre health services achieve accreditation

26 May 2009

Hunter New England Health sites within the McIntyre 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. 
McIntyre Cluster General Manager Lynne Shands 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 serves to display to our community that we are committed to delivering quality patient and consumer care and services,” Ms Shands said. 
“It reinforces and validates the fact that health facilities throughout the McIntyre 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 McIntyre sites worked tirelessly over an extended period of time to achieve accreditation status, and their efforts really were outstanding.”
 
The ACHS surveyors assess five key 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,” Ms Shands 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.”
Inverell District Hospital and Community Health Centre, Tingha Multi Purpose Service, Warialda Multi Purpose Service, Bingara Multi Purpose Service and Ashford and Bundarra Community Health Centres are the health facilities to achieve 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.

(HNE-1865)

Contact: Carisa Green

Phone: (02) 6767 7135 or 0428 106 183