Georgetown: June 09 is World Accreditation Day 2015 and the focus is on the support accreditation gives in the delivery of health and social care. The successful provision of health and social care is one of the greatest challenges today and will only grow in its magnitude and complexity. Whether caused by expanding global population growth, or increased life expectancy, the need to provide reassuring, consistent, cost-effective health and social care grows every day.
The following is a joint statement by Pete Unger, Chair ILAC, and Randy Dougherty, Chair IAF
Pete Unger Randy Dougherty:
Accredited inspection for social care drives up standards, and provides assurance and confidence to customers and the public that the care provider has been independently inspected in their specific fields of expertise in social care such as dementia, learning difficulties, nursing, mental health, and domiciliary care, and is compliant with the rigorous standards used by the accredited inspection body.
A growing number of case studies, independent research and supporting information from around the world, illustrate the value of accreditation in the health and social care sector. With expanding global markets, especially for medical devices, the systems of the IAF Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MLA) and ILAC’s Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) help all patients, regulators and other stakeholders understand the credentials of health and social care providers which holds accreditation or accredited certification. Regardless of geography, those organisations which are linked to the IAF MLA and ILAC MRA systems, demonstrate a commitment to excellence and assurance vital in health and social care. In addition to delivering assurance, this system also delivers efficiency.
The stated and verified equivalence gained through the global MLA and MRA systems allows health and social care providers to use manufacturers and suppliers which have tested products once, rather than multiple times, both in the process of seeking regulatory approvals and moving it across borders. Maybe more than any other service, having confidence in the delivery of health and social care is of paramount importance to those using and regulating it. Accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies ultimately provides assurance to patients and all stakeholders. Through the standardisation and regulatory process, coupled with accreditation, health and social care is provided at the right quality, efficiently and using the most appropriate resources from around the world.
Major events, press campaigns, workshops and seminars will take place in conjunction with the celebration of World Accreditation Day in over 90 countries to raise awareness of the value that accreditation plays in providing confidence in supporting the delivery of health and social care. For further details, contact your local accreditation body.
To mark the occasion, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will be hosting a half day Symposium for organisations and individuals involve in health and social care on June 09, from 09:30h at De Impeccable Banquet Hall, Brickdam & Sandyman Street, Georgetown.
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