Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission independent performance review report 2023 | Te arotakenga mahi...

This is a short, limited, self-commissioned independent review of the performance of Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission to follow-up on the direction set within our Statement of Intent 2020–24 and inform the development of our Statement of Intent 2023–27.

The purpose of the review was to identify recommendations we can implement to support our role in delivering high-quality, accessible and equitable health services and outcomes for all.

The external reviewers were Dame Karen Poutasi, Darrin Sykes MNZM and Teresa Wall.

The final report can be downloaded from the bottom of this page (PDF and Word formats).

The response to the report from the Te Tāhū Hauora Board Chair and Tumuaki Chief Executive response follows.

Te Tāhū Hauora Board Chair and Tumuaki Chief Executive response

Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission (Te Tāhū Hauora) welcomes the recommendations of the Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission independent performance review report 2023 | Te arotakenga mahi motuhake a Te Tāhū Hauora 2023 to take a proactive leadership role in driving positive and equitable improvement by ‘leading out with influence’.

The review findings reaffirm that Te Tāhū Hauora, our organisation, holds a unique and critical role in leading the analysis of health quality data and intelligence, and using this to guide improvements across the health sector.

We identify and amplify quality concerns across the health system that are not adequately being addressed, or there is unnecessary harm occurring within the health system. This is especially important as the health reform structures become fully established and highlights the need for us to work harder and smarter to safeguard the quality and safety of health services.

The reviewers recommend we strive to use our influence more proactively and visibly in the reformed system. We know that to bring about real transformation we must build and strengthen our relationships with the new and reformed health organisations that play key roles in improving quality in the sector. We need to engage more broadly with health providers and wellbeing agencies, the health workforce, and, importantly, consumers and whānau.

The review recommendations have guided the strategic direction of Te Tāhū Hauora set out in our Statement of Intent 2023–27 and will be reflected strongly in our Statement of Performance Expectations for 2024/25, as we prioritise integrating the findings into all our work.

We have strengthened our enduring priorities to reflect the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and pursuing health equity. These foundational values underpin and encompass everything we do within our strategic priorities. This means our initiatives and work programmes are designed to deliver meaningful and equitable improvements.

We know how important it is for us to do our job well. As an organisation focused on improving health quality and safety, we recognise the significant responsibility we have been given through our new and expanded functions in the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.

We will increase our efforts in ‘closing the loop’. This means demonstrating measurable improvement by showing our progress and communicating the impact of our initiatives effectively as well as providing feedback to stakeholders including the people we are here to serve.

We recognise the significance of localities, including primary and community health care, in the success of the reformed health system. We are committed to addressing their unique needs and challenges. By understanding and supporting the specific contexts of localised care, we can have a more focused and purposeful impact on driving equitable health outcomes. We cannot accept a situation where a significant portion of our population continues to face inequitable health outcomes.

Following a review and significant changes to the national mortality review function, mortality review is now more flexible and focused, allowing us to gain broader and focused insights to prevent the avoidable loss of life.

We are grateful to Dame Karen Poutasi, Darrin Sykes MNZM and Teresa Wall for their time and thoughtful insights as reviewers. Additionally, we extend our appreciation to all the individuals, both staff within Te Tāhū Hauora and leaders across the sector, who took part in this process and generously shared their valuable feedback. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping our strategic direction and will continue to guide our efforts in fulfilling our vital and trusted role within the health system.

We firmly believe that by working together, we can achieve equitable, accessible and improved health and wellbeing for all.

Rae Lamb, Board Chair
Dr Peter Jansen, Tumuaki Chief Executive