Accreditation

Galway Hospice Becomes Ireland’s first Dual Accredited Palliative Care Centre of Excellence

The service-specific accreditation programmes of CHKS (Caspe Healthcare Knowledge Systems - part of the Capita Group plc) are approved by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua) and by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS). 

Accreditation independently validates an organisation’s commitment to continuing improvement, and its capability of providing quality services. CHKS awards Accreditation to healthcare organisations which demonstrate that they have fully complied with approved international standards relating to legal and professional requirements, safety of patients, staff and visitors, patients’ rights and accepted sound organisational practice and clinical management systems in healthcare. 

ISO Certification is a respected mark of quality, recognised across the world. ISO 9001:2008 is a standardised framework for a quality management system, regardless of what the user organisation does, its size, or whether it is in the public or private sector.    Certification to ISO 9001:2008 provides externally verified assurance that an organisation has a proven systematic and consistent approach to the delivery of a quality management system.

“We are absolutely thrilled with confirmation of dual accreditation – it is a magnificent achievement for the entire team and certainly a moment to be savoured”, said Sean O’Healy, Chief Executive of Galway Hospice. “Despite our significant staffing and funding constraints, and with minimal external supports available to us, we took on the challenge of meeting two separate international accreditation standards, and we are delighted to be able to say that we have succeeded with distinction, achieving one of the highest compliance ratings on external survey ever recorded by the CHKS surveyors” added Mr O’Healy.  “The task involved a superb team effort on the part of our hugely dedicated staff over a two-year period, supported by a fantastic group of volunteers, and a very committed Board of Directors”.  Mr O’Healy also paid tribute to John Sweeney of Health Care Informed, who provided essential guidance throughout the process.   “I am also particularly proud for the people of Galway, who have been so loyal and supportive to Galway Hospice over the years”. 

As a dual-certified Centre of Excellence in the provision of palliative care services, Galway Hospice aims to continuously improve and develop its services, enhancing its role as the hub of palliative care services in the region and as a resource for best practice to all palliative care service providers both locally and nationally.