Lancashire NHS Trust’s anaesthetic team recognised for high quality patient care

Anaesthetists at the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have been recognised for providing the highest quality care to local patients.

The Trust, which includes Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble District General Hospital, received the prestigious Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) at a ceremony on Friday 22 June.

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 a high standard in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.

Dr Anna Bewlay, Clinical Director of Anaesthesia at the Trust, said: “As a department we are extremely proud to have received ACSA accreditation. The process enables staff to engage and work towards a common goal, which then provides safe and effective care for our patients. The RCoA was extremely helpful in assisting us throughout and the review team were delightful.”

Serving a local population of approximately 400,000 and providing tertiary services to more than 1.5 million people across Lancashire and South Cumbria, the Trust’s anaesthetic department is the fourth in the north-west and twenty-first in England to receive accreditation.

Lead ACSA reviewer, Dr Rahul Bajekal, praised the anaesthetic department as: “Cohesive and well-run, demonstrating a commitment to high standards in patient care and satisfaction.”

Dr Liam Brennan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “Patient safety is at the heart of ACSA, and the achievement and maintenance of ACSA’s robust standards encourage departments to constantly improve the care they provide. I would like to personally congratulate the anaesthetists at the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for their commitment to providing the best possible care for their patients.”