PHCC Makes Ten Pledges to Guarantee High Quality Service

Doha, June 03 (QNA) - The National Primary Health Care Strategy 2013-2018 comprises ten pledges that aim to guarantee, among other results, to offer high quality care for all. The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) aims at achieving these goals by making ten pledges, such as seeking patients feedback and increasing consultation time to 12 minutes. In application of this strategy, PHCC will publish annual reports showing patients needs are assessed and met; this process will require involvement of the community in determining needs at different levels. In addition, all patients will have a named doctor whom they can see on a regular basis A new yearly health check will be introduced for those who evidence suggest would benefit, taking into account risk factors like age and disability. The check will focus on diet, exercise, smoking status and indicators such as blood pressure, among other issues. The strategy also features the establishment of a patient helpline that will provide access to services. A directory of services will be established listing what is available, where its available and when. In the short term a phone service will be staffed with nurses, while in the long term the plan considers that it would be more efficient and cost effective to move to a national service with a common three digit number. The PHCC will also develop competency frameworks for healthcare professionals, link their reward to education, training and service quality outcomes and institute a major focus on MDT working. Furthermore, the consultation times will be an average of 12 minutes and patients will be able to specify Arabic or English as preferred language for consultation. In the meantime, appointment systems have already been established in 18 health centers. Among the pledges comprised in the national primary health strategy is launching Friends of PHCC to seek patients views on services, both services already being delivered and those being planned. Service is to be provided in a safe and clean environment that meets patients expectations. To achieve this goal, six new centers will be completed by 2015 (three of which will replace existing ones) and seven others will be finished the following year. Also, eleven centers will be renovated this year.(QNA)