Safety and quality top agenda for WA health system

Thursday, 20 July 2017

• ​International expert, Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor, commissioned to review safety and quality across WA's public health system
• Quality and safety a top Government priority, fundamental to delivering world-class healthcare
• Review's findings and recommendations made public to drive continuous improvement

The State Government has today released a wide-ranging review into the safety and quality of public health services and hospitals in Western Australia.

The review was commissioned by the Director General of Health earlier this year, and undertaken by UK expert Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor.

Professor Mascie-Taylor is Executive Medical Director EY UK and Ireland; former Medical Director of the NHS Confederation; Medical Director of Monitor; Executive Medical Director Leeds Teaching Hospitals; and Trust Special Administrator of Mid-Staffordshire Foundation Trust.

The review was commissioned in recognition of the need for continuous improvement in safety and quality, and of the need for assurance processes to be safeguarded in times of system change.

The Department of Health, and Health Service Providers, will work together to address all recommendations of the review over the coming 12 to 18 months.

The 'Review of safety and quality in the WA health system' report is available at http://www.health.wa.gov.au

Comments attributed to Health and Mental Health Minister Roger Cook:

"WA has a good record of health safety and quality, but we must constantly strive to deliver the best outcomes for our patients and the community.

"Health is operating in an era of significant change as a result of advances in technology and research, and our Sustainable Health Review - announced last month - will deliver a patient first, innovative and sustainable health system for all Western Australians.

"The community can be assured that patient safety is the highest priority as we aim to make a good system great."

Comments attributed to Director General of Health Dr D J Russell-Weisz:

"Delivering safe and high quality care is a central and critical focus of the Western Australian health system - now and into the future.

"Professor Mascie-Taylor has made several recommendations for the system to build on its successes based on sound principles of clinical governance.

"These include clear roles; responsibilities; accountabilities at all levels; a culture of transparency; a willingness to benchmark and learn from experiences locally, nationally and internationally; and a clear patient and community focus at all times."