46059 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

46059 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 toward the action ‘Support transformative and innovative ideas’, under ‘Strategic Priority 4:’ within the Ministry of Health’s New Zealand Health Research Strategy 2017 – 2027?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the quarter January to March 2024, the Health Research Council (HRC) assessed the 2024 Explorer Grants round. I am further advised that in March 2024, the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) established a new strategic subcommittee focused on clinical leadership and innovation, which is part of both its Executive Governance Team and its Strategic Stewardship Team. The forward agenda for this subcommittee is centred on shaping and leading innovative ideas, technologies and healthcare practices, and to develop a systems-level model for clinical leadership that is focused on long-term strategic thinking. This subcommittee also provides an interface between clinical leadership in the Ministry and in Health NZ for progressing transformative and innovative ideas as well as supporting investigator-led research.