Waikato DHB First In Region to Promote Open For Better Care
Waikato DHB chair Graeme Milne, quality and risk coordinator Susan McHugh, director of nursing and midwifery Sue
Hayward, chief operating officer Jan Adams and Health Quality and Safety Commission senior policy analyst Ethan Tucker
get on board to raise awareness of the new national patient safety campaign at Waikato Hospital today (Monday 22 Julyl.
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) is hosting a stand at Waikato Hospital today (Monday 22 July) to raise awareness of
the new national patient safety campaign Open for better care.
Waikato is the second DHB in the country, and the first in the Midland region, to host an Open stand. The purpose of the promotion is to raise awareness of the campaign and promote simple interventions to reduce
falls and harm from falls.
While falls is the campaign’s first area of focus, the other three focus areas – healthcare associated infections,
surgery and medication – will also be promoted.
The stand includes fun and interactive activities for staff, visitors and patients, including strength and balance
exercises, coordination tests, and a quiz on patient safety. Health Quality and Safety Commission (HQSC) representatives
will be joined by DHB staff throughout the day, including allied health workers, physiotherapists and occupational
therapists.
“Waikato DHB is pleased to be one of the first DHBs to profile our involvement in the national patient safety campaign,”
chief operating officer and campaign lead for Midland region Jan Adams said.
“Open for better care has allowed us to bring a focus to the great patient safety work already underway in our DHB, and provides us with an
opportunity to build on that work,” she said.
“The Midland DHBs are working together on the campaign which includes all the region’s DHBs, and we are fully committed
to improving outcomes for patients and communities across the region.”
A pledge supporting the campaign has recently been signed by the DHB’s board chair Graeme Milne and chief executive officer Craig Climo.
Waikato DHB is working to promote the campaign at every opportunity, including featuring local representatives on
campaign posters, working closely with the HQSC’s 10 topics in reducing harm from falls, and working across settings,
including aged residential care and in the community.
The stand was open to staff, patients and visitors outside Waikato Hospital's Upper Deck Café from 10am to 2pm.
For more information on Open for better care visit www.open.hqsc.govt.nz.
ENDS