Bellarine Community Health (BCH) has achieved full accreditation under new National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards.
Accreditation is independent recognition that an organisation meets the requirements of defined criteria or standards, and BCH has been one of the first organisations to be audited under these standards which were released in May this year.
BCH programs and services assessed included primary health and sub-acute services, child health and development services, mental health and youth health and wellbeing services and dental health services.
“The accreditation audit covered almost all of BCH services and we’re delighted with the outcome,” BCH chief executive Garry Ellis said.
“This result is a huge credit to our staff.”
To meet accreditation requirements, all standards must be ‘met’. Several ‘met with recommendations’ were received and these are opportunities for BCH to improve even further on services before the next
accreditation audit in three years.
“What is really pleasing is that the assessment team made special note of the exceptional culture that is evident throughout BCH,” Mr Ellis said.
“It has been wonderful to be able to tell staff that their attitudes, relationships with other team members and their clients and their willingness to provide great service to the community was recognised by the auditors.”
The accreditation report also acknowledged the partnership BCH has with the community, stating the commitment of BCH to effectively partner with their consumers was obvious, and that the organisation had a progressive approach for inclusive service provision and community platforms.
The assessment was undertaken according to the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Primary and Community Healthcare Standards and Accreditation Program and conducted by independent, certified quality assessors from the company QIP (Quality Innovation Performance).
