Applications sought for New Zealand Health Innovation Awards

Now is the time to celebrate excellence across the New Zealand health sector.

Applications are due from today for the inaugural New Zealand Health Innovation Awards which recognise the success and contribution made by the country's most innovative health providers. Individuals, groups and organisations working across the health sector including public health, accident and emergency care, general practice, community care, primary care and rehabilitation are invited to enter.

Applicants can fill out the Expression of Interest form at www.healthinnovationawards.co.nz and email or post it directly to the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation at info@nzbef.org.nz or Private Bag 92 138 Auckland Mail Centre.

The Awards are a joint Ministry of Health and ACC initiative, and will celebrate the outstanding efforts dedicated health providers make to New Zealanders' treatment, care and recovery.

Besides acknowledging and rewarding the achievements of health innovators, a key aim of the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards is to promote the sharing of innovative products, services and processes.

Formal applications will be accepted from today and close at 5.30pm on Friday 25 October 2002.

There are three entry categories: * Individual: 1-5 people * Group: 5-20 people * Organisation: 20 or more people.

The winner of each category will receive a certificate and a cash prize of $8000 and will be eligible to win the Supreme Award of $15,000. A popular choice award of $5000 will also be presented.

Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa on 23 April 2003.

Patients, consumers and community groups as well as health providers who want to nominate someone else or some other group or organisation for the Awards are also invited to fill out one of the expression of interest forms.

The innovation may be an advance in technology systems or in new processes, products or services which improve patient care or rehabilitation. A team of independent evaluators will select the finalists who will be invited to submit a more detailed application.

The team of evaluators and an independent panel of judges will then assess the final application forms. They may decide to make site visits to help them scrutinise entries.

The evaluators will look for innovations that show evidence of being: * Researched and analysed to determine feasibility * Effectively led * Well-planned and implemented * Able to be managed effectively * Evaluated and improved to meet stakeholder needs * Successful and sustainable

For more information, contact the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards co-ordinator at the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation on 09 270 5164, fax 09 270 5163, or email: info@nzbef.org.nz. The Foundation's website is located at http://www.nzbef.org.nz.

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