Dr LIM - 2006-08-30
I hope the minister will indulge me with a few questions as he will be retiring soon. You were quick to claim credit for having all Northern Territory hospitals accredited. However, the Royal Darwin Hospital was not given the all clear when it was recently reviewed by the national accreditation body. You have been told that the accreditation assessment is a snapshot and that you need to ensure standards are maintained throughout the accreditation period. Supervision in the Paediatric Unit was found wanting, and now CCTV is being considered. What else was found to be below standard at the Royal Darwin Hospital, and what steps have you taken to regain full accreditation?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will put into context the accreditation process and what it involves. The Royal Darwin Hospital is accredited for a four-year period. That is the highest level of accreditation that the national body is able to offer a hospital on the assessment of its internal protocols. It is accredited for four years. In context, the other four hospitals in the Northern Territory are also accredited. We are the only jurisdiction in Australia where all our hospitals are accredited regarding their quality and safety issues.
The recent review of the accreditation arrangements at the Royal Darwin Hospital is a perfectly normal part of the process. Accreditation is not a static thing. It is constantly being reviewed and worked on by the hospital and its staff in conjunction with the accrediting body. The mid-term review carried out at the Royal Darwin Hospital indicated a number of issues which needed ongoing work. There is nothing deficient or damaging about that. It simply shows that the accreditation criteria …
Dr Lim: Which areas? Tell us which areas.
Dr TOYNE: ... are being reviewed regularly in each of our hospitals that have an accredited status. If there is work highlighted by the review committee, the hospital will then go ahead and work on that. While I do not have the detailed …
Dr Lim: X-ray Department?
Dr TOYNE: Madam Speaker, I would really like to be able to give my answer without this constant heckling.
Dr Lim: Tell us, where?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Greatorex!
Dr TOYNE: The accreditation review confirmed that the accreditation of Royal Darwin Hospital stands. The issues that have been highlighted by the review process are being worked on and will be brought up to the standard that the national body has indicated. Territorians can be assured that, not only is the accreditation reconfirmed at Royal Darwin Hospital, but that the process is there to protect Territorians and their interests when they seek care in our hospital.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I will put into context the accreditation process and what it involves. The Royal Darwin Hospital is accredited for a four-year period. That is the highest level of accreditation that the national body is able to offer a hospital on the assessment of its internal protocols. It is accredited for four years. In context, the other four hospitals in the Northern Territory are also accredited. We are the only jurisdiction in Australia where all our hospitals are accredited regarding their quality and safety issues.
The recent review of the accreditation arrangements at the Royal Darwin Hospital is a perfectly normal part of the process. Accreditation is not a static thing. It is constantly being reviewed and worked on by the hospital and its staff in conjunction with the accrediting body. The mid-term review carried out at the Royal Darwin Hospital indicated a number of issues which needed ongoing work. There is nothing deficient or damaging about that. It simply shows that the accreditation criteria …
Dr Lim: Which areas? Tell us which areas.
Dr TOYNE: ... are being reviewed regularly in each of our hospitals that have an accredited status. If there is work highlighted by the review committee, the hospital will then go ahead and work on that. While I do not have the detailed …
Dr Lim: X-ray Department?
Dr TOYNE: Madam Speaker, I would really like to be able to give my answer without this constant heckling.
Dr Lim: Tell us, where?
Madam SPEAKER: Order, member for Greatorex!
Dr TOYNE: The accreditation review confirmed that the accreditation of Royal Darwin Hospital stands. The issues that have been highlighted by the review process are being worked on and will be brought up to the standard that the national body has indicated. Territorians can be assured that, not only is the accreditation reconfirmed at Royal Darwin Hospital, but that the process is there to protect Territorians and their interests when they seek care in our hospital.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016