Doctors support calls to improve hospitals' health (+video)

Doctors are backing comments by the Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson that hospitals are "not acceptably safe" and the health system lacks national leadership.
View video: Spotlight on health services

Mr Paterson told MPs yesterday that progress on quality improvement was "slow, patchy and uncoordinated".

Presenting the commission's annual report to Parliament's health select committee, Mr Paterson said the major obstacle was a lack of national leadership, with 21 district health boards working independently.

"I think we have an unduly complicated system for four million people."

No one had a clear idea of how big the problems were because there was little comparative data or information sharing between GPs and hospitals.

"Wouldn't it be good to know that cardiac surgery at Dunedin Hospital is as safe or safer than Wellington, and if one's better or worse, wouldn't it be good for them to be able to look at what they're doing and lift their game?" he said.

Asked by National MP Jonathan Coleman whose responsibility it was, Mr Paterson said it was time for the health minister and the ministry to do more.

Speaking to the The Dominion Post later, Mr Paterson said though the ministry's emphasis on primary health outcomes was laudable, New Zealanders had a right to know if their hospitals were safe.

"All the evidence shows that greater transparency improves safety standards."

The number of complaints received by the commission since 2006 had ballooned by 20 per cent but that was probably an indication of the growing profile of the commission rather than an increase in medical mishaps, he said.

New Zealand Medical Association chairman Peter Foley said urgent action was needed to fix systemic problems that had been frustrating doctors for years.

The Government had to act to stop crucial health planning being made on "an ad hoc basis in response to local financial crisis situations".

Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Ian Powell agreed there were too many inconsistencies between regions.

"While there are some cooperative efforts happening, particularly among lower North Island DHBs, it's not systemic."

Health Minister David Cunliffe said he welcomed debate on improving hospital safety, and supported the commissioner's calls for greater coordination in the health sector.

"What I as minister want, is a system that ensures public safety is a priority and is committed to continuous improvement and that takes a collaborative and coordinated approach."

Mr Cunliffe said for the first time this year, DHB budgets have been tied to progress on safety and quality, and he had also strengthened the role of the national quality improvement committee.

- © Fairfax NZ News