5 May 2004
External Review To Proceed At Christchurch Hospital’s Emergency Department
Following a meeting with the Minister of Health Hon Annette King and senior staff from the Ministry of Health last
night, the Canterbury District Health Board has received support for the (already announced) external review of the
Christchurch hospital’s Emergency Department.
The meeting was attended by the Chair of the CDHB Board, Syd Bradley, CEO Jean O’Callaghan, Chief Medical Officer Dr
Nigel Millar, the Clinical Director of Christchurch hospital’s Emergency Department Dr Angela Pitchford and Professor
Mike Ardagh. Chief Executive Jean O’Callaghan said all parties were supporting the external review.
‘We are all in agreement that the review will identify any outstanding issues of concern, and assist in finding
solutions,’ she said. ‘We are also in agreement that while there have already been active steps taken to respond to
concerns that were expressed earlier, including an increase in nursing staff across all shifts, and an internal review
that was initiated by Christchurch hospital, the ongoing publicly expressed concerns by some of our staff, required
further action.’
‘There are certainly issues of overcrowding in ED at times and these need to be addressed,’ she said. ‘I also
acknowledge there are broader issues that need consideration in the context of the wider hospital, but we need a
starting point, and that is at the front door.’
‘Our greatest concern is always patient safety, and we are not prepared to compromise on this,’ Mrs O’Callaghan said.
‘We all agree that while there are some concerns, we do not have a crisis in our Emergency Department. As Chief
Executive, I have total confidence in the department’s clinical staff and their ability to provide expert care to their
patients.’
‘Professor Mike Ardagh said the issue of Emergency Department overcrowding is an international one and compared with
other countries, Canterbury has been performing well. Canterbury’s recent problems give us an opportunity to provide
solutions. We are grateful for the chance to address the problems now before any patients come to harm as a
consequence.’
Ends