Injury surveillance panel members appointed

ACC Minister Ruth Dyson and Statistics Minister John Tamihere today announced the appointment of four members and an interim chairperson to a new panel providing independent advice to the government on injury-related information.

The members of the Injury Surveillance Ministerial Advisory Panel, appointed for up to three years, are Molly Pardoe, Paul Cressey, Professor John Langley and Dr Grant Duncan. The interim chairperson, who has been appointed for 12 months, is Hon Stan Roger, former chair of the Data Warehouse Advisory Panel.

Ms Dyson said the panel would provide independent advice about the Department of Statistics’ new role as manager of all injury-related information held by the government. “In the past, injury-related information has been collected in a fragmented way by a number of government agencies. The Department of Statistics is now the overall manager of this information. It will set standards, collect and publish information, provide data to researchers and review information requirements.

“This coordinated approach will lead to better understanding of the causes and effects of injuries. In turn, this will help us develop more effective policies and programmes for injury prevention and rehabilitation.”

Ruth Dyson said the panel members had a wide range of expertise in injury surveillance and injury information management.

“As users and providers of injury information, the panel members bring a strong mix of expertise at a strategic, operational and technical level. They will provide useful advice to the government from a stakeholder perspective.”

The panel, which has been set up under the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001, will also have four government representatives, one each from ACC, the Department of Labour, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport.

Contact Pip Desmond, press secretary, phone (04) 471 9258, 025 575 894 Non-government members of Injury Surveillance Ministerial Advisory Panel

Stan Roger (interim chair) previously chaired the Data Warehouse Advisory Panel established by the chief executive of the Department of Labour to provide advice on injury information management in relation to the privatisation and subsequent re-nationalisation of workplace injury compensation. The panel provided substantial comment on the New Zealand Injury Data Review, which culminated in the recommendation to appoint an injury information manager.

Molly Pardoe is the coordinator of Tairawhiti Community Injury Prevention. She has an extensive background in injury prevention as a service provider, including community development, establishing new injury prevention initiatives and resource development with a focus on reduction of injury to Maori.

Paul Cressey is managing director of East Health Services. He has executive experience in the health sector. He has held advisory positions to the government with a health and ACC focus. Paul made a significant contribution on the Information Management Data Warehouse Advisory Panel 1999-2001 and was involved in developing the Health Information Strategy.

John Langley has 12 years experience as deputy director of the Multidisciplinary Health and Development Research Unit at Otago University. He is a widely-published academic and has a doctorate in Injury Epidemiology. He is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert advisor on injury surveillance data.

Grant Duncan is a senior lecturer in public policy at Massey University. He is experienced in statistical methods and injury surveillance information research. His publications include research on ACC, with a specific focus on return to work following injury.

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