5 June 2013
Waikato DHB Pledges to Support National Patient Safety Campaign
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) chair Graeme Milne and chief executive Craig Climo have signed a certificate on
behalf of Waikato DHB pledging support for the new Open for better care national patient safety campaign.
“Patient care and safety is always at the top of our agenda but specific and focused nationally coordinated campaigns
will help us all do even better,” Mr Milne said.
The campaign was launched by Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew on 17 May 2013 and will run to mid-2015. It is
coordinated nationally by the Health Quality & Safety Commission and implemented regionally by district health boards and other health providers.
The campaign focuses on four areas where evidence shows it is possible to reduce patient harm – falls, surgery,
healthcare associated infections and medication safety.
The signing of the certificate precedes Waikato DHB’s release of campaign material across its facilities next week.
“By signing this pledge we commit our energy and resources to improving care while reducing harm. At Waikato DHB, we are
looking forward to sharing good practice to make a difference for our patients and staff,” chief operating officer and
member of Waikato DHB’s patient safety leadership team Jan Adams said.
DHBs signing the certificate pledge to be open to:
• working in partnership with patients, consumers, families and whānau
• change, improvement and innovation
• supporting an honest, transparent and respectful culture
• listening carefully and communicating clearly
• acknowledging mistakes and learning from them
• working as a team and across teams
• working across the primary and secondary sector
• using evidence-based practice
• sharing and learning from successes.
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 373,220
people living in the Waikato DHB region. It has an annual turnover of $1.2 billion and employs more than 6450 people.
Health Waikato is the DHB’s main provider of hospital and health services. It has six groups across five hospital sites, three primary
birthing units, two continuing care facilities and 20 community bases offering a comprehensive range of primary,
secondary and tertiary health services.
A wide range of independent providers deliver other Waikato DHB-funded health services - including primary health,
pharmacies and community laboratories.
ENDS