Media Release
Date: 8 July 2008
Plans To Name And Shame Slammed
One of the country's largest operators of mental health facilities has slammed a website set up to name and shame mental
health providers and staff who breach codes of practice.
Waikato District Health Board's hospital and health services provider arm Health Waikato says both the Health and
Disability Commissioner's officer and the workers' registration body already investigate complaints.
Chief operating officer Jan Adams said all employers and professionals take complaints against individuals seriously.
Mrs Adams' comments came after Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson said naming and shaming providers would
have an adverse affect on the quality of care.
"I would be very wary of this approach," said Mrs Adams.
Counsellor and mediator Steve Taylor set the Psychwatch site up to provide details of cases and name the providers and
staff who fell short of the commission's code of practice.
Mrs Adams said she hoped Psychwatch would not discourage mental health workers from participating in internal
investigations.
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