Upper Hunter health services achieve accreditation
9 September 2009
Hunter New England Health sites within the Upper Hunter have received official notification from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) that each facility has received full accreditation for a further three years.
Upper Hunter Cluster General Manager Dr Debbie Jaggers 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,” Dr Jaggers said.
“It reinforces and validates the fact that health facilities throughout the Upper Hunter Cluster provide high-quality care, with a focus on continuous review and improvement.
“It requires enormous co-operation and ongoing commitment from staff at all levels. Team members at all Upper Hunter sites work tirelessly and continuously to achieve accreditation status, and their ongoing efforts really are outstanding.”
ACHS surveyors assess five key standards:
• Continuum of Care
• Information Management
• Leadership and Management
• Safe Practice and Environment
• Human Resource management
“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,” Dr Jaggers said.
Muswellbrook District Hospital and Community Health, Scott Memorial Hospital and Community Health, Wilson Memorial Community Hospital Murrurundi, Quirindi Community Hospital and Community Health, Werris Creek Community Hospital, Merriwa Multi-Purpose Service and Denman Multi Purpose Service are the health facilities to achieve accreditation until mid 2012.
Accreditation is a continuous process. All NSW Health facilities are regularly surveyed to ensure that their efforts towards excellence are maintained.
(HNE-1989)
Contact: Carisa Green
Phone: (02) 6767 7135