Patients in safe hands at York Hospital

Anaesthetists at York Hospital have been recognised for providing the highest quality care to local patients.

The anaesthetics department at the hospital received the Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) from the Royal College of Anaesthetists at a ceremony on Friday 9 June 2017.

ACSA is the Royal College of Anaesthetists peer-review scheme which promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive accreditation, departments are expected to demonstrate a high standard in areas as diverse as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.

The department is only the sixth in the north of England and the fifteenth in the UK to receive the prestigious accreditation.

York holds an important place in the history of anaesthesia, with ‘the father of anaesthesia’, Dr John Snow, born in the city.  A memorial to Dr Snow was recently unveiled in North Street Gardens.

Dr Liam Brennan, President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists, said: “Delivering high standards of patient care is at the heart of the ACSA process.

“The accreditations robust standards encourage departments to constantly improve the care they provide.

“I congratulate the anaesthetic team at York Hospital for their commitment to providing the best possible care for their patients and for continuing in the traditions of Dr Snow.”

Dr Jamie Biddulph, consultant anaesthetist at York Hospital, said: “The peer review process was an important step which unearthed issues we could not detect ourselves. We were guided on how to make the changes, which have had a positive impact on patient safety - and that’s the most important result.

“This accreditation recognises the determination of our team to provide the highest quality service for our patients.”

12 June 2017