National Quality Improvement Committee
The role of the national Quality Improvement Committee is to provide advice to the Minister of Health on any health epidemiology and quality assurance matters. It works with the health sector, including District Health Boards (with a particular focus on hospital care), as both an advisor and a facilitator.
Background
The national Quality Improvement Committee (formerly EpiQual) is a statutory committee established under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.
It is appointed by, and accountable to, the Minister of Health.
The members of the Quality Improvement Committee are appointed by the Minister of Health.
The following principles will be used by the Committee to guide its decision-making:
Principles of the Committee
- Transparency
The Committee will demonstrate transparent decision-making processes by ensuring information is available to the public when and wherever possible.
- Leadership
The Committee will provide leadership within the New Zealand health sector on all matters related to quality.
- Quality Improvement
The Committee will focus on improving quality within the New Zealand health sector.
- Evidence-based
The Committee will make decisions based on evidence whenever possible.
- Outcome focused
The Committee will focus on improving health outcomes from an individual and population perspective, considering the broader determinants of healthcare.
- Advisory
The Committee will provide advice to the Minister that encompasses the above principles.
Priority Programmes
The Quality Improvement Committee has prioritised five quality improvement programmes that can achieve value for money and higher quality services. These programmes are:
- Optimising the patient’s journey
- Management of healthcare incidents
- Infection prevention and control
- National mortality review systems
- Safe medication management
For further information:
Print this Page