26.06.13
UKAS accreditation for Aintree audiology services
Aintree University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded accreditation for its audiology services.
It is the first NHS trust to be UKAS accredited under the Royal College of Physicians Improving Quality in Physiological diagnostic Services (IQIPS) programme.
Tony Kay, head of audiology services at Aintree University Hospital, said. “This demonstrates the hard work and dedication of the audiology team. The accreditation will demonstrate to patients and commissioners that we provide a quality service, which is extremely important now that patients can choose their NHS hearing aid provider.”
Paul Stennett, UKAS chief executive, said. “Congratulations to Aintree University Hospital on becoming the first NHS organisation to achieve UKAS accreditation to the IQIPS standard.
“This gives its patients the confidence that its audiology services are compliant with the latest standards and good practice and shows that it is constantly working to develop and improve both clinical and patient-related outcomes. UKAS accreditation already underpins a wide range of healthcare services in both the public and private sectors.
“The IQIPS programme is another example of UKAS accreditation effectively advancing the quality agenda within the healthcare sector and assuring patients about the quality of services that they receive.”
Dr Kerry Tinkler, the clinical lead for the IQIPS programme at the Royal College of Physicians, said: “Raising clinical standards is at the centre of the work at the RCP and we are keen to support multidisciplinary team working with all our professional colleagues. The team at Aintree University Hospital have set a fantastic example for other services in achieving this IQIPS Accreditation and really demonstrate that teams working together can bring improved quality of care for patients.
“IQIPS Accreditation involves assessment against a standard that has been professionally developed by an expert group of over 80 healthcare scientists, doctors and other professionals. All these professionals are involved in physiological science services and we have carried out extensive piloting and consultation. Attaining IQIPS Accreditation provides confidence: for patients and commissioners it can provide reassurance of the quality of the service and for staff it is a ‘badge’ of quality indicating confidence in their work and the service they provide.”
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