Nominations open for 2015 ACHS Medal

Nominations for one of the most prestigious awards in the Australian health sector – the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards 2015 ACHS Medal –  are now open.

The honour, which has been awarded over the last 21 years, recognises outstanding achievement in the promotion of quality and safety in health care in Australia.

The awarding of the ACHS Medal recognises the stand-alone contributions an individual has made to improving quality and safety over a period of time that are also consistent with the goals of the Council.

“ACHS works towards ensuring safe, quality health care for all, and as such seeks to be the leading provider of accreditation products in this country,” said ACHS Chief Executive Officer, Dr Christine Dennis.

“The ACHS Medal provides an opportunity to further promote the work of an individual who has made a strong contribution in their particular field in health, by highlighting the improvements being made in safety and quality,” she said.

The four criteria that are used to determine the level of commitment to quality and safety continue to be:

  • Substantial achievement on research into quality and safety of health systems;
  • Distinguished leadership in quality practices;
  • Outstanding achievement in maintaining a continuous quality improvement focus in health care delivery systems; or
  • Outstanding achievement in the promotion of quality in health care.

“Where safety and quality lead improvements in health, there is usually a strong individual pushing forward and our goal is to recognise someone who has made an exceptional effort over the course of their career.” Dr Dennis said.

“This is a significant award that also gives a focus to an area of health that is primarily driven by people’s interest, enthusiasm and knowledge and it acknowledges the goal towards improvement.”

Recent recipients of the medal have included Kae Martin (2014) Adjunct Professor Christopher Brook PSM (2013) and Professor Robert ‘Bob’ Gibberd (2012).

The closing date for nominations is 5pm, Friday 25 September, 2014 and a form for nominations can be found on the ACHS website.

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