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

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