24 August 2004

$55 million enhancement program for Patient Safety & Clinical Quality launched

A four-year $55 million program aimed at improving clinical quality and patient safety in NSW was officially launched today by Minister for Health Morris Iemma.

The NSW Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Program, incorporating the establishment of the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC), is the most comprehensive quality improvement and patient safety program undertaken across the State.

“The people of NSW have an expectation that when they visit a health facility they will receive the highest possible standard of care,” Mr Iemma said.

“But there is also an understanding that health care decisions often require difficult judgments in an increasingly complex system.

“This Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Program puts in place the strongest support system available for doctors, nurses, other health professionals, managers and patients.

“The CEC will act as a system-wide monitoring and audit body in addition to an expert training and educational support team to hospitals and health services.

“It will encourage openness in the reporting of errors so that the health system can move further towards an emphasis on learning from mistakes and gradual improvement.”

“The significant investment in the CEC ensures that patient safety and consistent excellence in medical care is the highest priority for the NSW health system.

Reporting annually to the Minister the CEC will focus on:

• Promoting and supporting improvement in clinical quality and patient safety;
• Consulting broadly with health professionals and members of the community;
• Identifying and sharing information about safe health care practices across the State via training and education programs;
• Monitoring clinical quality and safety processes in Area Health Services.

The CEC, first announced by the NSW Government in April, will build on the foundation work carried out by the Institute for Clinical Excellence that was established in 2001.

The work of the CEC will be guided by the principles set out in the Directions Statement launched by Mr Iemma today, including:

• openness about failures;
• an emphasis on learning;
• the recognition that there is an obligation to act;
• accountability in a just culture; and
• an environment of teamwork and information sharing.

Mr Iemma said the CEC would work in partnership with the other key organisations in the Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Program, including the Health Care Complaints Commission, professional registration boards and NSW Health.

The Program would lead to the establishment of Clinical Governance Units in all Area Health Services, headed by a senior clinician with direct reporting capabilities to the CEO.

Ian O’Rourke PhD Scholarship

As part of the launch of the NSW Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Program, Mr Iemma also announced the establishment of the Ian O’Rourke PhD Scholarship in Patient Safety.

The scholarship is named in honour of the CEO the former Institute for Clinical Excellence who passed away earlier this month after a courageous battle with cancer.

“The $35,000 annual scholarship is a fitting tribute to a man who was a pioneer in clinical quality improvement throughout the NSW health system,” Mr Iemma said.

“In his many roles in health as a surgeon, educator, academic and researcher, Dr O’Rourke demonstrated extraordinary leadership and integrity.

“He was passionate about the work he undertook at the Redfern Medical Centre and in the Northern Territory where he worked for five years with Aboriginal communities, particularly in the treatment of diabetes.

“For this reason the Scholarship will have a focus on quality improvement as it relates to indigenous health,” Mr Iemma said.

The successful scholar awarded the prize will work with the Clinical Excellence Commission to further the essential work that Dr O’Rourke commenced during his time at the Institute for Clinical Excellence.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au