MEDIA RELEASE 20 February 2008

SSHW Unit Supports National Quality Improvement Collaboration

The Chairperson of the Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces Unit Governance Group, Sue Wood commended the release of the first national Quality Improvement Committee report on serious and sentinel events within DHB’s.

This national report is acknowledged as another important step towards achieving a co-ordinated, collaborative approach to improving the quality and safety of health services within New Zealand.

The Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces Unit, operating under the guidance of a Governance Group is a joint initiative between District Health Board’s and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation. Established following a Committee of Inquiry, it is providing leadership for the sector to work collaboratively on improving safe staffing and outcomes for patients.

Safe staffing recognised as an essential component of health service delivery, enables the safety net for keeping patients’ safe, and preventing adverse events. The Unit is supportive of the continued collaborative development of national systems to improve patient safety.

ENDS