Medway anaesthetists praised for high-quality care

The Anaesthetic Department at Medway Maritime Hospital has received the prestigious Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) Anaesthesia Clinical Services Accreditation (ACSA) – demonstrating a commitment to patient safety and high-quality care.

Medway is just the second NHS Trust in Kent to be presented with the accreditation, which promotes quality improvement and the highest standards of anaesthetic service. To receive it, departments are expected to demonstrate high standards in areas such as patient experience, patient safety and clinical leadership.

Anaesthetists are the largest group of hospital-based specialists in the NHS and give anaesthetics for surgical, medical and psychiatric procedures. They facilitate pain-free childbirth, resuscitate acutely unwell patients, run chronic pain services and lead intensive care units.

To mark the achievement, colleagues from the Perioperative and Critical Care (POCC) team were joined by RCoA Council member, Dr Ashwini Keshkamat, at a special ceremony on Tuesday 13 February to unveil a commemorative plaque.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Chee-Fone Chu, the Trust’s Clinical Director and Consultant in Anaesthesia, said: “We are so pleased to receive this important accreditation and proud to be recognised by the Royal College of Anaesthetists – the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the UK.

“Gaining this accreditation has required a lot of hard work from all the Anaesthetic, Nursing and Allied Health Professions (AHPs) in the department, while it has allowed us to build greater team cohesion, focusing on delivering better and more efficient patient care. The accreditation exemplifies our desire to deliver the best possible service and in line with the Trust’s ‘Patient First’ principles.”

Dr Ian Johnson, the lead ACSA reviewer said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Anaesthetic Department at Medway and their accreditation is well deserved. As the review team, we were impressed with their supportive and inclusive nature as well as their innovative developments in areas including Maternity Enhanced Care, simulation and support for novice trainees.

“Gaining accreditation reflects hard work across the whole department and is a significant achievement in ensuring high quality care for patients.

“Reflecting the hospital’s maritime history, it is good to see that the Anaesthetic Department at Medway is indeed ‘ship-shape’. Congratulations to all involved.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Chee-Fone Chu, the Trust’s Clinical Director and Consultant in Anaesthesia, said: “We are so pleased to receive this important accreditation and proud to be recognised by the Royal College of Anaesthetists – the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the UK.

“Gaining this accreditation has required a lot of hard work from all the Anaesthetic, Nursing and Allied Health Professions (AHPs) in the department, while it has allowed us to build greater team cohesion, focusing on delivering better and more efficient patient care. The accreditation exemplifies our desire to deliver the best possible service and in line with the Trust’s ‘Patient First’ principles.”

Dr Ian Johnson, the lead ACSA reviewer said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Anaesthetic Department at Medway and their accreditation is well deserved. As the review team, we were impressed with their supportive and inclusive nature as well as their innovative developments in areas including Maternity Enhanced Care, simulation and support for novice trainees.

“Gaining accreditation reflects hard work across the whole department and is a significant achievement in ensuring high quality care for patients.

“Reflecting the hospital’s maritime history, it is good to see that the Anaesthetic Department at Medway is indeed ‘ship-shape’. Congratulations to all involved.”

Pictured above: Trust Chief Executive Jayne Black, Trust Chief Medical Officer Alison Davis, Dr Chee-Fone Chu and RCoA Council Member Dr Ashwini Keshkamat.