Local practice receives the mark of quality as an accredited practice
Cairns increased its community health credentials today when Cairns Doctors received a national award of accreditation, demonstrating its commitment to quality and safety within its practice.
Cairns Doctors received this important recognition from Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL), the leading not-for-profit provider of general practice accreditation services within Australia.
AGPAL Chair Dr Richard Choong said accreditation shows the practice makes a significant investment and commitment to quality on a day-to-day basis, across all levels of the practice team.
“Achieving accreditation is a major achievement for any practice and a clear demonstration that Cairns Doctors is striving to improve their level of care to both patients and the community,” he said.
“Practices seek accreditation because they want to do their best and view this as another step towards excellence in patient care.”
To achieve accreditation, a practice team works over a 12 month period to implement the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for general practices, (the recognised national standard), which provides a template for quality care and risk management.
The AGPAL accreditation program was developed to provide a range of minimum expectations for patients surrounding safety and care by assessing the practice environment and their processes. Accreditation was developed jointly by AGPAL and primary health organisations and peak bodies, including the Australian Medical Association (AMA).
Areas of focus during an on-site assessment for accreditation include: ensuring vaccines are within their use-by-date and stored at the correct temperatures; that the practice equipment is clean and sterile; practice staff are up-to-date with their training; and the practice has emergency care available.
Achieving accreditation covers:
- The safe and lawful use of practice equipment;
- Accessibility and availability of medical care including after-hours and emergency care;
- Staff training;
- Information technology and information security;
- The security and availability of your records and information.
Dr Choong said accreditation is attainable only through cooperation and communication between staff members.
“Everyone at the practice plays a valuable role in working to meet the RACGP Standards. It gives staff a real sense of pride to work in an accredited practice,” added Dr Choong.
Cairns Doctors proudly displays the AGPAL symbol for all their patients to see.
“We want community members, nation-wide to know that their wellbeing is our priority. By choosing to attend an accredited practice, patients know they will get quality and safe care that meets the RACGP Standards.”
The practice, located at 532 Mulgrave Road, Earlville in Barr St Markets, has special interests in Diabetes, Chronic Disease, Women’s Health, Sexual Health, Pregnancy options, Long Acting Reversible Contraception (Mirena & Implanon for example) Skin Cancer Management, Industrial medicals, Drive Medicals, Commercial Immunisations, onsite vaccine clinics.
Appointments can be made online here, or by calling our friendly reception team on (07) 4242 5300.
