The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners congratulates Palmerston North’s Best Care Whakapai Hauora clinic on receiving accreditation for completing the College’s Cornerstone quality programme.
Completing Cornerstone allows general practices to show their continuous commitment to patient safety and care, and a safe, efficient workplace.
The College sets and maintains national quality standards through two programmes - Foundation and Cornerstone - and these new look programmes were launched on 1 April 2020.
To achieve accreditation, the clinic completed the new Foundation Standard and the two new core Cornerstone modules in Continuous Quality Improvement and Equity.
As the iwi health provider for Rangitaane o Manawatu and a Whānau Ora general practice service, Dr Carole Fernandez, the practice’s Health and Quality Manager says, "We are very pleased to attain Bronze Standard accreditation through Cornerstone."
The Foundation Standard consists of quality assurance requirements that are essential for all general practices in New Zealand and sets the scene for future quality improvement and progress towards health equity.
The new Cornerstone programme shows a practice is committed to improving health outcomes. The College is proud to be the first organisation to develop an equity-focused primary care module, that demonstrates how practices can work to improve health outcomes by targeting individual and cultural needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
"Achieving accreditation highlights the significant work we do with individuals and whānau in our community to achieve equity, quality, and high standards of care in general practice.
"It is also reflective of the long-term partnership with the College, as the Whakapai Hauora GP service has been accredited with the Cornerstone programme since 2007.
"Through iwi and Māori models of health, and Cornerstone accredited standards, we’re able to deliver the best possible outcomes for whānau in a Te Ao Māori way that meets their needs and ensures they are in control of their journey," says Dr Fernandez.