Media information For immediate release
Date: June 26, 2008
Waikato Dhb Leads The Way On National Project
Waikato District Health Board is taking the lead on the development of a new National Incident Management System project
for all New Zealand DHBs.
The project, which was launched in Wellington on Monday, will see Waikato DHB, in conjunction with its partner Communio,
develop a nationwide policy aimed at making hospitals even safer.
"The incident management system will mean that patients and their families who do suffer as a result of errors in their
treatment, will see a standardised approach to open disclosure," said Minister of Health David Cunliffe.
The launch of the project was timely for Waikato DHB, which had already started work on creating the same kind of
system, and opted to lead the project.
Transparent and comprehensive reporting of incidents has always been paramount for Waikato DHB, said chief executive
Craig Climo.
"The organisation has long encouraged reporting of events that allow us to consider all factors that may have influenced
the situation and give us the opportunity to identify and address these, so we were happy to take the lead on this
initiative."
Following development of the policy at Waikato, training will occur throughout the country for roll-out of the system.
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About Waikato District Health Board and Health Waikato: Waikato DHB is responsible for planning, funding and providing
quality health and disability support services for the 353,460 people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual
turnover of $915 million and employs more than 5300 people.
Health Waikato is the DHB's main provider of hospital and health services with an annual budget of $530 million and 4500
staff. It has seven divisions across five hospital sites, two maternity and continuing care hospitals and 21 community
bases offering a comprehensive range of primary, secondary and tertiary health services.
Other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health, pharmacies and community laboratories - are
delivered by a wide range of independent providers.
ENDS