Quality of Care

There are numerous groups in the Hospital that oversee, and are accountable for, improving and monitoring quality of care and service delivery.  The Hospital's Board has ultimate responsibility but all members of staff contribute to the performance of the Hospital.

The Board's Quality Committee ensures that:

• Effective and accountable structures and systems are in place to monitor and improve quality and effectiveness
• Any systematic problems identified with quality and effectiveness are addressed, and
• We strive to continuously improve quality and encourage innovation.

The Patient Safety Committee reports to the Board Quality Committee.  It is the peak Clinical Risk Management body and has statutory immunity under the Health Services Act.  This means that issues that may be regarded as clinically complex can be openly discussed, thus encouraging the best possible methods to be put in place to prevent a recurrence.  The head of the Committee is a senior Hospital doctor and other Committee members are experts in clinical care.

This Committee discusses clinical complications, patient complaints and events of a serious nature that occur in the Hospital and then makes recommendations that are followed up.  The Committee does not lay blame but advises how to improve systems to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

The Hospital identifies areas needing improvement, and implements change by:

• Conducting, and using findings from, worldwide research
• Monitoring the way it delivers care and services
• Acting on feedback from consumers
• Responding to recommendations from external reviews of its services, including those by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
• Comparing its performance with that of other hospitals
• Developing guidelines and procedures based on best practice evidence, and
• Redesigning systems around patient needs.

Top