QUALITY of service is at the heart of everything the Wheatbelt GP Network (WGPN) does, so it was with great pride that they received the news that they had been recognised for the high standard of their services and became the first primary health organisation in Australia to attain national and international accreditation.
WGPN chief executive Dr Harry Randhawa said he was pleased with the news.
"Our staff work really hard to continually improve access to and integrate our services to ensure the most comprehensive and consumer driven support for patients, whatever their healthcare needs," he said.
"The WGPN Board is unwavering in their expectation that the Wheatbelt community should receive the highest quality care and this philosophy guides every aspect of our practice."
The WGPN has been certified to both the International Quality ISO9001:2015 and Royal Australian College of General Practice (RACGP 4 th edition) Standards.
WGPN Chair David Singe reiterated the sentiment.
"This is a remarkable feat," he said.
"It is a great testament to the hard work and commitment of Dr Randhawa and the WGPN staff and reflects the view of the Board that the Wheatbelt community should receive the highest quality, evidence based health services."
Only 246 organisations across Australia have met the ISO9001:2015 standard, with only six in Western Australia.
ISO9001 is a quality management system that helps organisations ensure they effectively meet the expectations of their customers while also managing risk.
It is a systematic approach that involves a rigorous internal and external audit process.
Mr Singe said he is very proud of what the team has managed to achieve.
"As well as our clinical services we now also have a pharmacy, ultrasound service and healthy cafe onsite at the Northam Health Centre and we are continuing to evolve and develop our services to best meet the growing needs of the Wheatbelt community," he said.
The pharmacy is being run by Daniel O'Driscoll in partnership with local pharmacist Matthew Reid.
“Having lived and worked in Northam my whole life, I was looking forward to using my skills to help locals tackle their health concerns," Mr O'Driscoll said.
Mr O'Driscoll is a Home Medicines Accredited Pharmacist which allows him to analyse a patient’s medication regime and make recommendations to the GP
The Wheatbelt GP Network is a not for profit organisation that delivers GP, nursing, diabetic and dietician, social and emotional wellbeing, pathology and ultrasound services with clinics in Northam, Toodyay and Narrogin. They can be contacted on 9621 4444.
