News Update

Durham Mental Health Services Receives Accreditation Canada Primer Award, Completes First Stage of Three-Year Accreditation Process - 6 Jul 2010

Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) has completed the first stage in becoming an accredited healthcare organization. Following a three day onsite survey by Accreditation Canada surveyors Genevieve Corbin and Linda Judge, DMHS was awarded Accreditation Canada’s Primer Award.

As part of its commitment to continuous quality improvement, DMHS undertook its first three-year accreditation cycle in June 2009. “During our survey, we heard from staff and saw firsthand the impact of the work you’ve done on accreditation over the past year,” said Genevieve Corbin. “What you’ve learned and done to this point will serve you well during the rest of the accreditation process.”

The surveyors were impressed above all by the quality and dedication of DMHS staff. “The strength of the agency is its staff,” Genevieve Corbin said, “something we heard from both leadership and clients. Throughout our survey, we consistently saw commitment, pride, and values-in-action.” Linda Judge remarked that the surveyors “saw an agency that lives out its mission and its values.”

Accreditation Canada’s Primer Award is an important milestone on the journey to full accreditation. Recipient organizations have demonstrated a commitment to continuous quality improvement and the capacity to meet the full set of Accreditation Canada standards.

DMHS Executive Director Rob Adams says that the goal of becoming accredited accords with DMHS’ commitment to effective, accessible, and person-centred mental health services. “Accreditation is a recognized mark of excellence in healthcare. It’s not just another thing to do – it’s a way of ensuring that the way we do business is the best way of doing business and ultimately it’s about enhancing client service.”