Friday 18 January 2008
Double Accreditation for CDHB services
Two of the Canterbury District Health Board’s specialist services have been accredited by Quality Health New Zealand
this week.
The Specialist Mental Health Service and Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation Service received the maximum three
years accreditation, under the internationally benchmarked programme.
Canterbury District Health Board's Specialist Mental Health Service Operations Manager George Schwass said the
accreditation was a fine achievement as it confirmed the high calibre of service delivery and a commitment to continuous
improvement.
"The accreditation process surveyed consumer and family participation, quality and risk management systems, leadership
and management systems and standards of care. This achievement is confirmation that our strategic directions are well
positioned for the future”, Mr Schwass said.
Accreditation was received in addition to certification against the Ministry of Health’s Health and Disability Sector
Standards for both services, covering the period from December 2007 to December 2010.
Older Persons Health and Rehabilitation Service, Operations Manager Diana Warren said the award showed a continued
commitment from all staff to providing the best possible care for patients and to making sure quality systems were in
place.
"And it doesn't mean we're going to rest on our laurels now", she said. "Our commitment to improvement is ongoing.
Accreditation and certification provides a measure as well as a way of monitoring the health services we provide. It
also shows the public can trust our services."
The Quality Health New Zealand accreditation process is a survey against standards developed on the following
principles: client/ patient/ consumer focus, leadership, teamwork, continuous quality improvement, best practice and
process outcomes of management. The audit is based on a peer review by senior health professionals and managers and to
receive accreditation the service has to perform well across all of the listed areas.
ENDS