73709 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

73709 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has occurred to address the recommendation that “Te Whatu Ora Southern provide a report on the implementation of the recommendations of two external reviews undertaken, in particular on progress with the design, implementation and embedding of an accountability and performance framework; the establishment of a clear clinical governance framework to address deficits in risk management and clinical governance; the cancer services recovery plan; implementation of a three-year workforce plan for the SBCS; and assessment of staff wellbeing”, as contained in the Health and Disability Commissioner’s report on Te Whatu Ora Southern’s non-surgical cancer service, as at 12 November 2024?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that Southern has implemented a performance and accountability framework as a key pillar of its clinical governance structure. I am further advised that Southern's Clinical Council – the clinical governance group for patient safety, quality and assurance – has been strengthened with reporting and feedback processes for its sub-committees and the rest of the region's hospital and specialty services function. To ensure clinical governance reaches into frontline services, Southern is also rolling out a local clinical governance framework.