Epsom & St Helier Hospitals’ anaesthetic team awarded for high quality patient care

Anaesthetists at Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust have been recognised for providing the highest quality care to their patients. The prestigious Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) was presented at a ceremony on 12 December.

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 Bernadette Ewah, consultant anaesthetist, Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said:

“We are delighted to have attained the high standards required for ACSA accreditation.

“The process enabled us to gain senior management engagement which led to the funding of high cost projects such as anaesthetic machines and the surgical admission suite beside the operating theatres, which we had been requesting for
some time.

“The review was very energising and made us determined that nothing would stop us achieving accreditation. The process has enabled us to get it right for our patients and get it right for staff.”

Professor Ravi Mahajan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said:

“It is very pleasing to see the review process drive improvement at the Trust and even help to make the case for new equipment.

“It is clear that in this case the process not only improved patient care but also boosted staff engagement.

“Patient safety is at the heart of what we do as a medical Royal College and it was impressive to see the team use the process to develop and enhance the quality of the service they provide across the hospital.

“The achievement and maintenance of ACSA’s robust standards encourage departments to constantly improve the care they provide and  I would like to personally congratulate them for their commitment to providing the best possible care for their patients.”