The accreditation surveyors examined safety and quality governance, consumer participation, infection prevention, medication safety, patient identification, clinical handover, blood and blood product procedures, pressure injuries, clinical deterioration and hospital falls.

In completing their assessment, the surveyors reported 100 per cent of Bendigo Health’s core actions and 72 per cent of developmental actions had been met.

Bendigo Health chief executive John Mulder said the outcome was an excellent result for the organisation.

“Our successful accreditation outcome would not have been possible without the dedication, passion and perseverance of so many teams, departments and individuals,” Mr Mulder said.

“It truly is a fantastic outcome which included the ACHS Surveyors awarding Bendigo Health with 31 Met with Merit’s and full compliance with all core Actions in the NSQHS Standards. 

“All Australian hospitals are being surveyed against the same ten standards, which means our patients and our community can be assured of the quality of care and treatment they receive from our staff.

“The NSQHS survey results followed a separate accreditation assessment for our Home and Community Care Service, which was successfully reaccredited against the Community Common Care Standards.

 “This result reflects the commitment of Bendigo Health as we strive towards our vision of  ‘Healthy Communities and World Class Healthcare’, and anyone witnessing the work and effort over the past week would agree that our values of Caring, Passionate and Trustworthy were undeniably evident.”