ISAS Award Ceremony
PRESS RELEASE - 21 December
2010
First accreditation for imaging services
awarded
The Cobalt Unit Appeal Fund has become the first UK
imaging service to be accredited to the ISAS Standard
by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). This
landmark achievement was celebrated at a special
presentation ceremony held at their Cheltenham base. It was
attended by all principal parties, and local
dignitaries.
ISAS (Imaging Services Accreditation Scheme) enables diagnostic
imaging services to achieve national recognition as having met the
exacting requirements set out in the (ISAS) Standard and also other
UKAS accreditation conditions. The Standard, jointly owned by The
College of Radiographers (CoR) and The Royal College of
Radiologists (RCR) was specifically developed for UK organisations
providing diagnostic imaging services to both within the NHS and
private sector. ISAS promotes best practice by comprehensively
addressing patient experience, clinical effectiveness, patient and
staff safety, and efficient utilisation of resources.
On presenting the certificate to Peter Sharpe,
Cobalt's Chief Executive, Lord Jamie Lindsay, UKAS Chairman, said:
"UKAS is delighted to participate in this event which acknowledges
the tremendous efforts made by all parties to achieve the first
UKAS accreditation to the ISAS Standard. By participating in the
accreditation process, Cobalt has not only shown its willingness to
be open and transparent, but also that it is constantly working to
develop and improve both clinical and patient-related
outcomes."
On receiving their certificate, Peter Sharpe, Chief Executive,
Cobalt said: "This is a very proud moment for all of us at Cobalt.
Staff worked hard to achieve the ISAS accreditation, the process
has been rigorous and challenging; it has helped us develop and
improve services and also put in place a system for continual
review and development. It is with great pleasure that we accept
the ISAS Accreditation Certificate. We are also delighted to be the
first ISAS accredited organisation, confirming that we provide a
patient focused safe and efficient diagnostic imaging service."
Commenting on the future
for ISAS accreditation, Dr Jane Barrett, RCR President, said: "We
congratulate Cobalt on its accreditation. We look forward to the
accreditation of further diagnostic imaging services across the UK,
highlighting radiology as a specialty leading on the highest
standards of service provision and a real focus on quality
improvement."
Chris Wiltsher, Former Chair of The RCR Clinical Radiology
Patients' Liaison Group stated: "Cobalt's current and future
patients will benefit from knowing that the service has been
rigorously assessed and will be monitored for the next four years.
All patients will benefit from this first step in driving up the
quality of care in imaging services."
Highlighting the increasing importance of accreditation in a
changing health environment, Professor Audrey Patterson, SCoR
Director of Professional Policy said. "It is great to see the first
ever accreditation under ISAS. In the context of changes in
commissioning of health care in England and of continuing scrutiny
of quality care in all parts of the UK, it is more than ever
appropriate that diagnostic imaging services are able to
objectively demonstrate high standards of delivery. The core
involvement of patients in the ISAS accreditation process adds even
greater value to Cobalt's achievement."
The event provided the opportunity for the scheme owners to
thank a number of individuals who played a significant role in
bringing the scheme to fruition. In particular, Dr. Valmai Cook,
Stewart Whitley and Chris Wiltsher, who together worked on the
final iteration of the ISAS Standard; Peter Kelley for developing
the Assessor Training Course, and also the members of the first
Assessment Team namely Mary Carroll, Dr. Simon Girling, and Debbie
Love.
All media enquiries to Jamie Douglass or Phil Russell in
the UKAS Press Office
T: 020 7689 5155 e: ukas@clear-group.co.uk
Notes:
Established in 1964 the Cobalt Unit Appeal Fund (Cobalt) is a
medical charity whose work focuses on prevention, research,
screening, education and diagnosis of cancer and other life
limiting conditions. Cobalt operates state of the art diagnostic
imaging services, undertakes and funds research, provides health
education and cancer prevention services and trains and educates
healthcare professionals. Having established the original oncology
centre for the Three Counties in Cheltenham, Cobalt has worked in
partnership with the NHS providing equipment and facilities and
supporting research. Cobalt's diagnostic imaging services see over
18,000 patients each year, either within a dedicated imaging centre
in Cheltenham or though Cobalt's mobile MRI scanners.
The College of Radiographers' objects are directed towards
education, research and other activities in support of the science
and practice of radiography. The organisation's activities are
designed to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
Together with the sister organisation, the Society of
Radiographers, the College represents more than 90 per cent of
radiography practitioners in the UK. The Society and College shape
the healthcare agenda and lead opinion on a wide range of
professional issues.
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) has approximately 8500
members and Fellows worldwide representing the disciplines of
clinical oncology and clinical radiology. All members and Fellows
of the College are registered medical or dental practitioners. The
RCR exists to advance the science and practice of clinical
radiology and clinical oncology through a range of activities,
including setting and maintaining the standards for entry to, and
practise in, the specialties of clinical radiology and clinical
oncology, and arrangements for continuing professional development
(CPD) in both specialties. For further information, visit
www.rcr.ac.uk
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is the sole
national body recognised by government to assess evaluating
organisations to international standards. UKAS operates under a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Business,
Innovation and Skills (BIS), and is a non-profit-distributing
company limited by guarantee. UKAS accreditation involves
assessment and verification (against international standards) of
certification, inspection, testing and calibration activities. UKAS
employs over 300 assessors and technical experts, and has over 40
years' experience. For further information about ISAS visit:
www.isas-uk.org
