Wanganui Hospital “as safe as any other” - review

Press Statement

Embargoed until 1pm Thursday 30 August 2007

Wanganui Hospital “as safe as any other” - says independent review

Whanganui District Health Board has been told its hospital is as safe as any other comparable hospital in New Zealand following an independent review carried out earlier this year.

The review into the quality of clinical services at Wanganui Hospital was initiated in March this year by the Ministry of Health after three highly publicised episodes of patient injury and a separate public allegation of unsafe clinical practice. The review found that the three patient injury incidents had no similarities and did not reflect a current safety problem.

The report contains seven recommendations for improvement, all of which will be implemented within the next fortnight.

Board Chair, Kate Joblin, says she is delighted at the news but warns that there is still a long hard road ahead.

“While saying that we are as safe as any other hospital, the report also says that there is considerable room for improvement. So that’s what we’re focusing on now – the way forward”.

The second review, a joint review with the Ministry of Health, contains more than 50 recommendations. Many were already being addressed as they had been identified in earlier reviews or were already known to be of concern and being worked through by staff.

Whanganui District Health Board CEO Memo Musa says both reports identify good and bad points in the health board.

“This has been a difficult time for our staff, and I thank them for making these two reviews as straightforward and honest as possible. We opened our doors wide to both review teams, and we encouraged staff to tell it like it is. Being honest and open is the only way for us to bring about meaningful change, and I see these reports as being constructive, forward-thinking and with our best interests at heart,” said Mr Musa.

ENDS

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