UHP anaesthetists rewarded for high quality patient care
The anaesthetic team at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust have been re-accredited under the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) scheme.
The hospital was one of the first to receive the accreditation for the high quality care the anaesthetic team provided to patients.
ACSA is the RCoA’s peer-reviewed scheme that promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive accreditation, departments are expected to demonstrate high standards in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.
Dr Sophia Wrigley, Consultant Anaesthetist at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said: “All the members of the anaesthetic, theatre and intensive care departments in Plymouth are delighted to have their hard work, commitment to excellence and high standards of care recognised in achieving renewal of our Anaesthetic Clinical Service Accreditation for the second time. This is for both the general standards and for the neuro anaesthetic and neuro intensive care service.
“We are pleased to share the many examples of our good practice highlighted by the review team with the college library to share with other departments nationally.
“The work that underpins the achievement is not to be underestimated. It was a fantastic team effort with every permanent anaesthetic member and our theatre team leaders contributing and many of our trainees having the opportunity to be involved in helping with policy reviews and audits.
Dr Jeremy Langton and Dr Sophia Wrigley “Gaining ACSA has certainly helped our department raise standards and definitely enhanced our ability to recruit excellent new members to the department.”
Professor Ravi Mahajan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “Achieving accreditation in the first place is a great accomplishment and it is very impressive to see the commitment and approach of the whole department to maintaining their standards and being re-accredited.
“As part of the re-accreditation process the Plymouth anaesthetists demonstrated their continued dedication to enhancing the quality of service they provided across the hospital. The review team were particularly impressed with how the anaesthetic department worked with trainees to provide excellent teaching, welfare provisions and unified care delivering excellent flexibility to match the needs of patients.
“I would like to personally congratulate everyone in the team for their commitment to continuing to provide the best possible care for their patients.”
Dr Rahul Bajekal RCoA ACSA lead reviewer, said: “It was a pleasure to visit the department of anaesthesia in Plymouth. It is quite clearly cohesive, happy and high-performing. We saw many examples of excellent practice including trainee support and attention to patient safety and quality improvement. The integrated Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit has proved mutually beneficial. Overall, a well-led department worthy of ACSA reaccreditation”
The team were presented with their award in early December by Dr Jeremy Langton of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
