Canterbury Plan Encourages Innovation In Health

26 October 2007

Canterbury Plan Encourages Innovation In Health Sector

The Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) Quality Strategic Plan 2007-2010 is set to further improve health and disability services for the people of Canterbury.

The Plan challenges everybody providing health and disability services in Canterbury to be involved in initiatives focussed on improving services. Jan Nicholson CDHB Corporate Quality and Risk Manager said the plan demonstrated CDHB’s commitment to quality improvement and innovation.

"The goals and priorities contained in the Quality Strategic Plan provide a challenge to everyone in Canterbury’s health sector. We hope as many people as possible will respond with ideas and initiatives to take a lead in improving quality and safety," Ms Nicholson said. “Even the smallest contribution can have a really positive impact on the delivery of services.”

Carolyn Gullery, CDHB General Manager of Planning and Funding said the plan will be a useful tool for community based health providers in making improvements.

“It will also play a large part in how we plan for the future as a health board," Ms Gullery said. Paul Smeele, Specialist Anaesthetist and Chair of the Medication Safety Group explained how the Quality Strategic Plan is being used to improve the use of medication at Christchurch Hospital.

“The green light has been given for the appointment of a Medication Safety Pharmacist - a new role dedicated to improving safety around medication,” he said.

“Adverse drug events affect 1-2% of patients admitted to hospital and may result in significant patient harm. About half of these are preventable.” Having a pharmacist dedicated to reducing such incidents will lessen the treatment required for some patients, as well as the associated costs, he said. He added the new initiative would improve systems and processes as well as the health of patients at the hospital- just some of the key goals of the Quality Strategic Plan.

Visit www.cdhb.govt.nz for more information and to download the CDHB Quality Strategic Plan 2007 – 2010.

ENDS

© Scoop Media