Media Release

17 December 2007

Chance to enter 2008 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards

The 2008 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards (HIA) are now open for Expressions of Interest.

Now in their sixth year, the HIA reward innovation and inspired thinking at the frontline of the health and rehabilitation sectors, says Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General, Sector Capability and Innovation, Margie Apa.

“There are countless people in the health sector who are passionate about finding new ways of doing things to provide the best possible care.

“The HIA are a great chance to acknowledge their work and share good ideas more widely.”

Dr Jan White, ACC Chief Executive states that the HIA create an important forum for the development of unique health-related ideas. “These awards recognise new ideas and development in healthcare and rehabilitation, offering applicants the opportunity to showcase their innovations.”

Building on the great success of the 2007 HIA, which attracted 190 expressions of interest, the categories for 2008 remain unchanged:

Excellence in Quality Improvement
Excellence in Primary Health Care
Excellence in Prevention (injury or health promotion)
Excellence in Rehabilitation (injury or long-term condition management)
Excellence in Treatment
Excellence in Innovation
Excellence in Process Improvement

Expressions of Interest application forms can be found online at www.healthinnovationawards.co.nz and close on Friday 1 February 2008.

This year, entrants will be asked to describe how their project:

contributes to addressing priority government health target areas and
could be transferred or adapted to another site.

Applications are invited from individuals, groups and organisations within the health, disability and rehabilitation sectors.

The Supreme Award winner receives $13,000, while category winners receive $4,000. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Wellington in October 2008.

The Mangere Healthy Kai programme - changing eating habits in Auckland’s Mangere town centre to help combat obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease - won the 2007 Supreme Award.

The HIA are a joint initiative by the Ministry of Health and ACC. The New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation manages the independent judging process, using international criteria and evaluation processes.

For further information, please contact Anne-Marie Robinson, Communications Advisor, Ministry of Health, 021 500 634 or Stephanie Julian, Media Advisor, ACC, (04) 918 4291, 027 600 7359