EpiQual

“He iti rā, he iti māpihi pounamu”.
A small contribution can be as valuable as a precious stone.

Members

The members of the National Health Epidemiology and Quality Assurance Advisory Committee were appointed by the Minister of Health. The current Chairperson for the Committee was Patrick Snedden.

The Committee collectively reflect a knowledge of:

• quality improvement and risk management, in particular of quality assurance in the health sector
• data and information gathering systems and analysis
• perinatal, infant and child and adolescent mortality
• clinical epidemiology
• District Health Board service provision and management
• Clinical experience
• Maori health
• Pacific Island health

The Committee members were:

• Patrick Snedden (Chair)
• Alan Merry
• Barbara Crawford
• Barbara Greer
• Barry Taylor
• Catherine Rae
• Cynthia Farquhar
• Jean Hera
• Jim Vause
• Judi Strid
• Kevin Hague
• Mary Seddon
• Robin Youngson

The Ministry of Health provided a policy and administrative secretariat within the Clinical Services Directorate.

Principles of EpiQual

The following principles will be used by the EpiQual Committee to guide its decision-making:

Transparency.
Epiqual will demonstrate transparent decision making processes by ensuring information available to the public when and wherever possible.

Leadership.
Epiqual will provide leadership within the NZ health sector on all matters related to quality.

Quality Improvement.
Epiqual will focus on improving quality within the NZ health sector.

Evidence-based.
Epiqual will make decisions based on evidence whenever possible.

Outcome focused.
Epiqual will focus on improving health outcomes from an individual and population perspective considering the broader determinants of healthcare.

Advisory.
Epiqual will provide advice to the Minister that encompasses the above principles.