Business Inquiry into the adverse effects on women as a result of treatment by Dr Graham Parry
Early identification of adverse clinical events and systems of continuous quality improvement should be a major focus of
District Health Boards to ensure appropriate standards are maintained, a Health Committee report has found.
The committee recommends that the Health and Disability Commissioner co-ordinate access to an independent practitioner
for those submitters with ongoing problems to receive clarification, explanation and, where indicated, referral for
expert medical treatment.
The committee recently completed an Business2inquiry into the adverse effects on women as a result of treatment by Dr
Graham Parry. This inquiry was initiated by the Health Committee of the 46th Parliament, but lapsed at the end of that
parliamentary session. The current Health Committee decided to complete the work of the previous committee for natural
justice reasons and to give the women who submitted an opportunity for closure. The committee's report on the inquiry
was presented to the House today.
The focus of the inquiry was on ensuring quality improvement in the health sector. As a result, the committee recommends
several improvements to quality assurance systems. The report also recommends the swift implementation of credentialing
of health services and individual health practitioners. The committee wishes to see the Ministry of Health establish a
set of nationally consistent clinical indicators to benchmark the effectiveness of health services and practitioners.
The report recognises the huge potential of The Office of the Health and Disability Commissioner and recommends that the
effectiveness and availability of healthcare advocates be increased. The report also recommends changes to legislation
governing complaints investigation committees including, the availability of an advocate and a process for appeal of
complaints investigation committee decisions.
Copies of the committee's report can be purchased from Bennetts Government Bookshops, or viewed at http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/cgi-bin/select-reports