Clinical networks being set up in MDHB region

31/03/2011 | Clinical networks

A number of clinical networks are being setup in the MidCentral District Health Board region to provide a formal structure for people and groups to focus on improving health outcomes, and patients and their families’ experiences in using a health service.

These networks will allow for the formation of effective partnerships to: share information, review clinical management, enhance communication and processes, and ensure equitable and ongoing provision of safe, effective services occurs as close to the patient as possible.

All current evidence and observations of successful services support clinical networks as a viable way of ensuring clinicians lead and drive service improvement, and that this occurs in partnership with organisations and consumers.

Work to form the foundations of clinical networks has begun with MidCentral Health respiratory and sleep physician Dr Alistair Watson leading the project. It follows on from the District Management Group (DMG), and Reference Group processes which were previously used to guide service improvement within the DHB.

The resulting network structure will be organised in four tiers, which are: the collaborative workgroup, district groups, combined steering group and the CEO sponsor.

The first district groups to be formed will be child health, mental health and addictions and the cancer district groups. Each of these groups will hold an annual public forum to discuss local issues and future projects. Overseeing the work of the district groups is the transitional steering group.

The role of the transitional steering group is to assist MDHB in creating and maintaining a Clinical Network structure ensuring that clinicians and consumers (and their family/whanau) are the core of health service development and improvement. 

Members include former DMG and Reference Group chairs, clinical leads for the Primary Health Organisation ‘Better Sooner More Convenient’ business case, and senior managers from the DHB and Compass Health and representation from Manawhenua Hauora and Maori health.  It is also planned that there will be community involvement. 
Once the network structure is more fully in place the transitional steering group will dissolve with a move toward establishing the longer term Combined Steering Group.  Membership will be reviewed at this point.

Work so far for the TSG has focused on finalising the child health district group terms of reference and the nomination and selection process used to establish this group.  These documents and systems will be the template for the subsequent district groups yet to come.  The TSG has also been busy creating and signing off its own terms of reference and finalising a communications plan. 

Dr Jeff Brown, Clinical Director Paediatric Service is the provisional Chair of the Child Health District Group.  He has been ably supported in establishing the CHDG by the Child and Youth Health Funding Portfolio Manager, Barb Bradnock. 

This group will focus on improving the provision of health services to children and their families/whanau.  A selection progress for members is underway.

One of the first tasks of the group will be to start finalising arrangements for a child health forum to which clinicians, interested organisations, consumers and their families/whanau will be invited – the outcome of this event and the brainstorming and discussions that will occur there will form the basis of the work plan which the child health district group will oversee.

The mental health and addictions district group is in the initial setup phase, with the nomination process for membership yet to occur.

If you would like to register your interest in a particular district group or would like to be on a clinical network mailing list please email: Katherine.gibbs@midcentraldhb.govt.nz.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945