MEDIA RELEASE
20th November 2103
Mount Gambier received a further health boost today when Pangula Mannamurna Inc received the award of accreditation, demonstrating the quality and safety of their Practice. The Practice received the top honour from Australia’s most respected accreditation body, Australian General Practice Accreditation Limited (AGPAL).
Photograph from Right to left: Fiona Thompson Practice Nurse Chronic Disease Coordinator, Carolyn Collins Practice Nurse/Midwife, Penny Bonney Outreach Worker, Phil Von Duve Receptionist, Cheryl Wilson Doctor, Fiona Wotherspoon Practice Manager & Karen Rigney Aboriginal Health Worker.
AGPAL Chair Dr Richard Choong said the accreditation award shows that the Practice makes a significant investment in quality on a day-to-day basis from the top down.
“Achieving accreditation is a major achievement for any Practice and it is a clear demonstration that Pangula Mannamurna is seeking to improve their level of service to both patients and the community,” he said. “Practices seek accreditation because they want to be the best and view this as another step toward excellence.”
The AGPAL accreditation program was developed jointly by AGPAL and various doctor’s organisations including the AMA. It is a voluntary national program that aims to provide a range of guarantees to patients by accrediting the practice environment. To achieve this endorsement, a Practice team works for 12 months to implement the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) Standards for General Practices, which is the recognised standard nationally for assessment for general practice.
The standards train staff in areas such as ensuring vaccines are within their use-by-date and are stored in the correct temperatures; that the Practice equipment is clean and sterile and the Practice has emergency care available.
Dr Choong said accreditation is attainable only through cooperation and communication between staff members. “Everyone at the Practice plays a valuable role in working to meet the standards. It gives staff a real sense of pride to work in an accredited Practice,” added Dr Choong.
Pangula Mannamurna Inc proudly display the AGPAL logo for all their clients to see.
Practice Manager Fiona Wotherspoon said, “we want to communicate to our clients that their wellbeing is our priority. By being accredited, our clients know we are committed to providing quality care that meets the RACGP’s standards.”
The Practice, located at 191 Commercial Street West Mount Gambier delivers a number of health services and wellbeing programs to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in Mount Gambier including Outreach services to the towns of Millicent, Naracoorte, Kingston and Bordertown.
Karen Glover CEO and Gwenda Owen Chairperson of Pangula Mannamurna are proud of the Practice staff.
“Our Aboriginal Health Workers, Doctors, Nurses and Reception staff are committed to providing comprehensive primary health and well being programs that respond to client and community needs. We continue to work to Close the Gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and address the social determinants of health (economic and social conditions) that impact on our community”.
Closing the Gap is a cross-community effort and Pangula Mannamurna continues to work to strengthen partnerships with other health stakeholders and agencies in the region who are committed to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and in particular provide a better future for all of our children.
For further information on Pangula Mannamurna Inc Practice health services contact Fiona Wotherspoon at FionaWotherspoon@pangula.org.au
For further information on AGPAL, please visit www.agpal.com.au or free call 1300 362 111.
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