CANTERBURY DHB QUALITY & PATIENT SAFETY COUNCIL

2008 Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards

Assessor Information

Background Information
New Assessment Component
Assessor Skills
Feedback from Previous Assessors
Assessor Training Information/Assessor Guidelines
Registration

Background Information
The Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards were first introduced in 2003. Over the past 5 years a total of 86 projects have been entered into the awards and 31 Assessors have been involved in the awards programme.

All Assessors involved in the Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation awards receive training on how to mark projects using set criteria (based on the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards assessment template and Balridge Criteria). The training covers best practice in awards assessment and principles and provides an overview of the Canterbury DHB assessment process. The Assessors are provided with guidance notes which include assessment tools and scoring templates. Assessors normally assess projects independently and then work in teams to decide the overall marks. These marks and rankings are then submitted and debated during the Assessors consensus meeting. The outcome from which is delivered to the overall judging panel who confirm the project winners and overall positioning of the projects. An estimate of the time commitments required by an Assessor is as follows:

Assessor training session (2 hours) July 2008
Assessment of projects and Assessor feedback report preparation (approximately 25 hours over approximately 6 weeks) August-October 2008
Assessor Consensus Meeting (2 hours) October 2008
Awards Ceremony (2 hours) November 2008
Assessor feedback session (2 hours) November 2008

All applicants receive a feedback report which is compiled by the Assessors and details the overall strengths and opportunities for improvement. Many projects have also gone onto national success by further utilising their Assessor feedback reports to strengthen their project submissions.

New Assessment Component
This year we are piloting site visits into the ‘Assessment Process’ to obtain additional assessment data to support the validity of the project submissions. A small number of Assessors may be required to assist with this pilot phase and time allocated to this will be in addition to that indicated above.

Assessor Skills
To be invited to be an Assessor for the 2008 Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards, the person will have demonstrated some or all of the following:

a commitment to improvement, innovation and excellence
leadership role in quality, safety and innovation programmes within the healthcare sector
experience with system or process audit activity and quality systems and tools
the ability to objectively assess assembled evidence against established guidelines and determine the level of compliance
ability to contribute to high performing team; deliver to time lines and communicate effectively
leadership of or involvement in successful and/or significant projects
successfully completed Assessor/Auditor training within the structure of a certification or accreditation programme
involvement with or in a similar Award programme

Within the group of Assessors we also seek a wide range of professional representation as well as coverage from across the Canterbury DHB.

The network of Assessors are responsible for marking the project submissions and in doing so have the opportunity to learn about the quality improvement initiatives or innovation projects taking place within the Canterbury DHB. Through their acceptance of this additional workload and dedication of their valuable time they will make a significant contribution to the success of the 2008 Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards programme.

Feedback from Previous Assessors
"It has been both a delight and a privilege to be involved in the Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards programme over the past four years as an Assessor. The role of an Assessor is both challenging and rewarding and provides the opportunity to work across organisational boundaries. Being selected as an Assessor enables you to network with health professionals from various divisions and professional backgrounds and work within a team environment when assessing the projects.

Through my role as an Assessor I have gained a greater understanding and exposure to the wide range of quality improvement initiatives or innovation activities occurring throughout the Canterbury DHB.

Many of the previous entrants that have entered into the Canterbury DHB awards programme have also entered into external programmes and have used the feedback from the Assessment group to strengthen their project submissions. Previous entrants have commented on the additional value this feedback has added to their project submissions which further promotes the valuable role Assessors provide in the awards process".

Hector Matthews, Executive Director of Maori and Pacific Health

Assessor Training Information/Assessor Guidelines
Please contact Gillian Pearce for information on the Assessor Training sessions and Assessor Guidelines.

Registration
Due to the work commitment involved we seek the approval and endorsement from line managers to release individuals to undertake the Assessor role for the 2008 Canterbury DHB Quality Improvement and Innovation Awards programme. If you wish to become an Assessor then please complete the Assessor Application Form and return either via post, fax or email to:

Gillian Pearce, Project Facilitator, Corporate Quality and Risk, Canterbury DHB, 5th Floor, The Princess Margaret Hospital, PO Box 1600, Christchurch.
Fax: 03 337 7718
gillian.pearce@cdhb.govt.nz