Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS), a community mental health service organization providing client- and family-centred care for almost 30 years, has concluded its second accreditation cycle with an outstanding result and a renewed “Exemplary Standing” Accreditation status.

The “Exemplary Standing” designation was achieved by meeting a very high percentage of Accreditation Canada’s approximately 500 quality and safety standards for community mental health organizations.

 Accreditation Canada surveyors Doreen Fey and Scott Harrison spent three days (May 29 – June 1, 2016) onsite at DMHS, touring programs, interviewing staff and community partners, and reviewing DMHS administrative and programming policies and plans.

 “This is a very significant achievement for our agency,” says DMHS Chief Executive Officer Rob Adams. “We achieved it because of the quality of the services our staff deliver every day and because of their clear commitment to the organization and its clients.” 

Mr. Adams explains that the accreditation process is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing commitment to safe and high-quality mental health services. “As a result of our two accreditation cycles, we have embedded quality processes into every aspect of our work,” he says. “We will continue to build on this strong foundation.”