AHA was engaged to undertake a review of the quality, safety and risk framework for the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS). Changes to the operations of the NWHHS prompted a review of the historical quality safety and risk management processes.

The objectives of the project were:

• Detail the mechanisms that will enable the NWHHS Board and Executive to achieve a high quality governance of quality, safety and risk throughout the NWHHS within the context of the vision, values and fiscal responsibilities.
• Describe the NWHHS quality, safety and risk framework that will enable NWHHS to achieve compliance with respect to National Safety, Quality and Health Service Standards; Health Quality and Complaints Commission; and relevant Australian Standards
• Assist the NWHHS Executive and Board to develop and implement an appropriately robust Quality, Safety and Risk framework.

To achieve the project objectives, AHA:

• Provided recommendations related to governance processes (including clinical governance) that assist NWHHS executive and staff in development of an improved culture in relation to identifying, managing and reporting safety, quality and risk management
• Assessed current patient quality, safety and risk recognition and management processes across NWHHS
• Advised criteria for Quality, Safety and Risk reporting, assessment and consequent action planning with focus on the relevant quality standards as a minimum platform for achievement.