Consumer rights There are various mechanisms in place to protect patients’ rights. The management of adverse events and complaints shows appropriate open disclosure. Staff are aware of the patients’ right including to open disclosure. Interpreter services are often required and are readily available. For example in the children’s service effective communication is facilitated with the use of interpreters and the use of innovative translation sheets. Patients feel empowered to voice complaints. There is evidence in Nelson Hospital that the placement of the patient whiteboard, staff computer screen and location of staff handover meetings compromises the personal privacy of the patients. Record storage also requires improvement in the medical ward to ensure there is no unauthorised access to patient information. A previous requirement that complaints meet privacy requirements and are linked into the quality and risk management system is now being addressed. Appropriate signed consent trial are present in the patient files reviewed and patients feel that they are provided with adequate information to make informed choices. Where a patient is no longer resuscitation’, this is documented in the patient notes. The ‘for documentation includes discussions with the patient and or family members. Improvement is required to ensure there is confirmation of consent for administration of vitamin K recorded in the maternity record and for some consenting processes in mental health services. The patients and family members interviewed are very satisfied with services received. In the acute mental health inpatient service an appointed consumer advisor participates at all levels of service planning and delivery. Organisational management The DHB has undergone significant organisational restructure with the aim of developing strong operational leadership and a separate clinical governance structure. This will champion and oversee the quality and safety of services as well as ensuring there is clinical input into decision making at all levels across the organisation. The NMDHB strategic vision is articulated by the NMDHB 2030’ document which outlines the direction for future planning. ‘Health There is a recently formed clinical governance group. The associated processes are still in development. As a result the framework and work plan is still to be communicated to the services and the structures in the services to supplement the overarching group
Consumer rights There are various mechanisms in place to protect patients’ rights. The management of adverse events and complaints shows appropriate open disclosure. Staff are aware of the patients’ right including to open disclosure. Interpreter services are often required and are readily available. For example in the children’s service effective communication is facilitated with the use of interpreters and the use of innovative translation sheets. Patients feel empowered to voice complaints. There is evidence in Nelson Hospital that the placement of the patient whiteboard, staff computer screen and location of staff handover meetings compromises the personal privacy of the patients. Record storage also requires improvement in the medical ward to ensure there is no unauthorised access to patient information. A previous requirement that complaints meet privacy requirements and are linked into the quality and risk management system is now being addressed. Appropriate signed consent are present in the patient files reviewed and patients feel that they are provided with adequate information to make informed choices. Where a patient is no longer ‘for resuscitation’, this is documented in the patient notes. The documentation includes discussions with the patient and or family members. Improvement is required to ensure there is confirmation of consent for administration of vitamin K recorded in the maternity record and for some consenting processes in mental health services. The patients and family members interviewed are very satisfied with services received. In the acute mental health inpatient service an appointed consumer advisor participates at all levels of service planning and delivery. Organisational management The DHB has undergone significant organisational restructure with the aim of developing strong operational leadership and a separate clinical governance structure. This will champion and oversee the quality and safety of services as well as ensuring there is clinical input into decision making at all levels across the organisation. The NMDHB strategic vision is articulated by the NMDHB ‘Health 2030’ document which outlines the direction for future planning. There is a recently formed clinical governance group. The associated processes are still in development. As a result the framework and work plan is still to be communicated to the services and the structures in the services to supplement the overarching group trial