“Best ever” response to DHB listening week

“Best ever” response to DHB listening week

Southern DHB has had a “fantastic response” to an organisational initiative which aims to keep improving the quality of staff and patient experiences at Southern DHB.

Over 1200 patients, whānau and staff have registered for the ‘In Your Shoes’ listening sessions where they will be able to share their experiences and by doing so, help continue to improve the DHBs services.

A further 374 patients and 1424 staff have filled in the survey. The patient survey closes online tomorrow.

“According to our facilitator this is the best ever response to a DHB listening week and we’re absolutely delighted with this,” said Southern DHB Deputy Commissioner Graham Crombie.

Patient listening sessions are now full in Dunedin and Invercargill. Places remain available in the sessions in Alexandra, Queenstown, Wanaka and Oamaru, “and we’re encouraging people in those communities to please come along to share their views,” said Southern DHB Chief Executive Carole Heatly.

This engagement with patients is part of Southern DHB’s ‘Owning our Future’ plan, which has the DHB’s culture at its heart.

Ms Heatly said, “The response shows that our public are keen to tell us what really matters to them and they want to help us to continue to improve the services we provide. We want to listen to our community whether they have had a positive experience or whether they feel there is room for improvement, and learn from what they have to say.”

This is only the start part of the Southern Future programme, senior staff will be facilitating future staff and patient workshops, so the DHB can continue to engage in this way regularly and throughout the district.

Southern DHBs new Chief Medical Officer, Nigel Millar, who starts at the DHB next week, and Chief Executive, Carole Heatly, will be attending all the sessions on all sites along with members of the Executive Team and Commissioners.

“In Your Shoes” available sessions are as follows:

• Thursday 10th March, 11.30am - 1.30pm, Alexandra
• Monday 14th March, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Wanaka
• Monday 14th March, 3.00pm – 5.00pm, Queenstown
• Tuesday 15th March, 11.00am – 1.00pm, Oamaru

Patients can register for sessions, complete the survey, and find out more at www.southerndhb.govt.nz, by calling 0800 214 579, or by emailing listening@southerndhb.govt.nz.

ENDS

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