Accreditation
Accreditation is a required measure of accountability. It is the formal process that is used to determine how we are performing against a specific set of standards that are set by governing bodies to ensure that the standard of care is of the highest quality.
Our community can feel secure in knowing that WDHS is fully accredited, which means that all services including acute and residential care have been assessed by independent assessors, successfully meeting all of the expected standards. The accreditation process provides us with opportunities to make quality improvements in any aspect of care identified.
During the accreditation process a team of assessors will conduct a very detailed assessment. Members of the team will talk with staff, patients, residents, carers and community representatives. They will review the documentation and observe the day to day functions of the health service.
On a three year cycle, WDHS is assessed against the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards Second Edition Version 2. Accredication is a manditory process for all public acute health services, providers of residential aged care and community services. WDHS was assessed in November 2022 for compliance with the NSQHS Standards.
Acute Care Services
The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) is the agency that assesses our acute and community services. The latest edition includes 8 standards and 148 actions, and addresses gaps identified in the 1st edition, including in the areas of mental health, cognitive impairment, health literacy, end of-life care, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This is known as the Periodic Review.
Aged Care Services
WDHS is required to comply with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Standards. This is achieved through unannounced assessment visits. The Birches was assessed in 2022 and accredited to 7 June 2025. Valley View Nursing Home and Wannon Court Hostel was assessed in 2022 and accredited to 11 January 2026. The Grange Residential Aged Care, Penshurst Nursing Home & Kolor Logde aged care facilities were assessed in 2019 and accredited to 1 March 2023.