Tuesday 9 February 2016

Southern DHB invites patients and families to share experiences of DHB care

Southern District Health Board (Southern DHB) is inviting patients and their families to share their experiences and by doing so, help us continue to improve our services.

A series of ‘In Your Shoes’ sessions will be held in March 2016 as part of an organisation-wide initiative which aims to keep improving the quality of staff and patient experiences at Southern DHB. Patients and whānau will have the opportunity to share their experiences and to talk to us about how we could improve those experiences.

This engagement with patients is part of Southern DHB’s ‘Owning our Future’ plan, which has the DHB’s culture at its heart.

Graham Crombie, Deputy Commissioner, is urging people to come forward and speak openly about their experiences. “We are really keen to listen to the experience and views of our patients and their families, whether they have had a positive experience or whether they feel there is room for improvement. This is a genuine opportunity to influence the future of local care,” he said.

Carole Heatly, Chief Executive, said, “We sincerely hope people would like to be part of these sessions. We need the community’s help as we can only improve and offer services when, where and how the people we serve want, by listening and learning. The “In Your Shoes” sessions offer us this opportunity.”

The sessions will last about two hours and will each involve 30 patients and 50 staff, discussing experiences individually and in small groups. Patients can include anyone who has used any DHB service for any reason in the last 18 months. This could include outpatient appointments, emergencies, surgeries, or other inpatients.

The “In Your Shoes” sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Monday 7th March, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

• Monday 7th March, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

• Tuesday 8th March, 11.30am - 1.30pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

• Wednesday 9th March, 11.30am - 1.30pm, The Civic Theatre, 88 Tay Street, Invercargill

• Thursday 10th March, 11.30am - 1.30pm, The Cellar Door, Alexandra
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Ms Heatly also encouraged patients to complete a survey on their experiences at Southern DHB. “If people are unable to attend a workshop, or even if they are, we would also welcome their views through a short survey.”

Patients can register for sessions, complete the survey, and find out more at www.southerndhb.govt.nz, by calling 0800 214 579, or by emailinglistening@southerndhb.govt.nz.

ENDS

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