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Derwentside hospice care foundation sets higher care standards in its sights

Willow Burn has unveiled plans to work to achieve a prestigious healthcare accreditation as it continues to develop and improve the services it provides across Derwentside.

Based on the site of the former Maiden Law Hospital in Lanchester, Derwentside, services already comply with the high standards set by the National Health Trust, Healthcare Commission and the Care Quality Commission but  is aiming to achieve industry accreditation by meeting 33 exacting standards of the CHKS Accreditation Programme.

CHKS Accreditation programmes are tailored to all aspects of healthcare provision from acute hospitals, mental health hospitals, care homes and hospices to specific services such as radiotherapy and short-stay surgery.

Based on published international guidance and established best practice, including Government White Papers, Department of Health guidance, and developed in consultation with Royal Colleges, professional bodies, and consumer groups, the programme helps to drive, assure and demonstrate quality of patient care, and by focusing on quality, risk management and patient safety, the programme incorporates all aspects of healthcare provision from corporate and clinical governance to support services and administration.

Helen Mills, Chief Executive of Willow Burn Hospice, said working towards achieving CHKS Accreditation will be a journey for the hospice and its staff, but it is one they are looking forward to embarking on.

"We are keen to work towards CHKS accreditation," she added. "By its nature the process is developmental and voluntary, but by undertaking this programme we will be in a position to ensure and evidence that our standards of service delivery meet with best practice.