Quality of Care Report - Ballarat Health Services
Quality of Care Report - Ballarat Health Services
Quality of Care Report - Ballarat Health Services
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Welcome to the <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong><strong>Services</strong> 2007-2008 <strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Care</strong> <strong>Report</strong>This report is for you, the consumer, patient/client/residentand carer to read about what <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> hasbeen doing over the past twelve months, 1 July 2007-30June 2008.This report is one <strong>of</strong> the ways we inform you how we meetyour health care needs at <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong>, and aboutthe way we keep improving the quality <strong>of</strong> the care weprovide. The report does not cover every detail <strong>of</strong> all aspects<strong>of</strong> our service, but rather focuses on areas deemed importantby the community and our staff. Mental illness; two simplewords but what they represent is a very complex and diverseillness that affects one in five Australians to varying degreesfrom short-term episodes <strong>of</strong> depression right through to themore severe psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia andbipolar mood disorder. One <strong>of</strong> the major focus <strong>of</strong> this yearsreport is to help the community better understand mentalillness from the perspective <strong>of</strong> the client, their family andclinicians. Throughout this report, you will see how <strong>Ballarat</strong><strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> is increasingly involving the community,consumers and staff to inform and improve our services.Our thanks are extended to the <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong>Community Advisory Committee (CAC), former patients,carers, community and staff for their comments andcontributions to this year’s report. The Community AdvisoryCommittee is made up <strong>of</strong> six community members and twomembers <strong>of</strong> the Board. The committee assists <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong><strong>Services</strong> to integrate consumer and community viewsappropriately at all levels <strong>of</strong> the service.We look forward to hearing your opinion on this year’s<strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Report</strong> and the services <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong><strong>Services</strong> provides. You are invited to complete and return thefeedback form at the back <strong>of</strong> this report. Your views are vitalin helping us plan future services and where we need toimprove.CONTENTSVision Mission and Values<strong>of</strong> <strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> 1Contents and Welcome 2Planning and Developing our <strong>Report</strong> 4Serving our Community 5Community Advisory Committee 7Promoting the Benefits<strong>of</strong> a Multicultural Service 9Your Experience 11What happens if you have a complaint 13Staff in the Community 14Psychiatric <strong>Services</strong> 15Accessible and Responsible <strong>Care</strong> 20What if you or your loved ones needto move into Residential <strong>Care</strong> 28Governance and Risk Management– Putting Patient Safety First 29What’s New 38Our Staff and Volunteers 39<strong>Ballarat</strong> <strong>Health</strong> <strong>Services</strong> adoptsimportant environmental statement 40Training staff to be preparedfor emergencies 41We Value Your Opinion 42Ms. Lynne McLennanPresidentBoard <strong>of</strong> ManagementMr. Andrew R. RoweChief Executive Officer<strong>Quality</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Care</strong> <strong>Report</strong> 2007-08 2