A collection of photos from the Health Innovation Awards ceremony.

1. What do the Health Innovation Awards want to achieve?

The Health Innovation Awards aim to:

  • encourage continual improvement of care and services in the health and disability sector;
  • recognise those who have developed and implemented innovations that are sustainable examples for improving health outcomes, support and independence;
  • celebrate success and excellence; and
  • identify initiatives that are transferable and promote a sharing and learning environment.

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2. Who administers the awards?

The awards have been initiated jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Accident Compensation Corporation and are being independently evaluated by the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation.

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3. Who can enter?

Expressions of Interest are invited from all health providers. Nominations are also encouraged from interested observers such as patients, consumers and community groups.

 

There are seven entry categories. There will be three finalists chosen from each category. The categories are:

  • Excellence in Primary Health Care - Celebrating improved health access and outcomes and reduced health inequalities within a Primary Health setting.
  • Excellence in Quality Improvement - Awarding people-centred, safe and high quality services that demonstrate a continual improvement and culturally appropriate processes.
  • Excellence in Prevention (injury or health promotion) - Awarding innovations in the prevention of injury or promotion of safe environments for people and services.
  • Excellence in Rehabilitation (injury or long-term condition management) - Encouraging innovation in services for people with disabilities, long-term conditions or injuries with long term effects to live independent and self fulfilling lives.
  • Excellence in Treatment - Award providers who show innovation and quality in the provision of treatment to improve outcomes related to treatment.
  • Innovation - An award that recognises sustainable examples for improving health outcomes, support and independence.
  • Process Improvement - An opportunity to demonstrate improvement in business process.
  • People's Choice - A chance for finalists to acknowledge a fellow finalist's entry.

Three finalists will be chosen from each category.

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4. How do I enter?

When Expressions of Interest open, you will be able to submit it on-line. An independent team of evaluators will then select finalists from the applications.

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5. When will Expressions of Interest open?

The Health Innovation Awards (HIAs) will not be taking place in 2010. We are currently working on alternative ways that we can recognise innovation and quality within the sector.

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6. How are the finalists and the winners chosen?

Further information will be available later in the year on when Expressions of Interest open for the 2010 awards.

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7. What criteria will be used?

  • The criteria for the awards include:
  • Evidence of strong research and assessment of feasibility;
  • Effective leadership;
  • Strong planning and well co-ordinated implementation;
  • Effective management;
  • Evaluation and improvement to meet stakeholder needs; and
  • Evidence of success and ability to sustain results.

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8. What are the prizes?

The prizes are:
1. Seven category winners receive $4,000 each
2. Supreme Award winner receives $13,000
3. People's Choice Award winner receives $4,000

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9. What are the benefits of becoming a finalist?

Entering the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards costs nothing -- all we need is some of your time. In return, all 21 finalists benefit from becoming part of the awards in these ways:

  • National recognition for your improvements to the New Zealand health sector.
  • An opportunity to share your learnings across the New Zealand health sector
  • Networking opportunities with other health organisations, individuals, government ministers and ACC and Ministry of Health officials.
  • Training on how to produce an effective awards application.
  • Access to support from the New Zealand Business Excellence Foundation while compiling your application.
  • Around 30 hours of evaluation by a dedicated team of trained professionals.
  • A comprehensive feedback report detailing the strengths and opportunities for improvement for your project.
  • Having two members of your team flown to Wellington and accommodated for a night at a local hotel.
  • Receiving two complementary tickets per entry to the gala awards dinner in Wellington.
  • Displaying your entry at an expo, with organisers providing the exhibition booth shell, table and chairs, power and lighting.
  • Receiving recognition of your achievement through a framed finalist's certificate and photograph of you/your team receiving the certificate from a health sector VIP.
  • Receiving a professionally prepared profile and photograph of your innovation/process improvement published in a profiles booklet.
  • Having your innovation promoted in media releases and articles in sector publications and the wider media before and after the awards, and on the Health Innovation Awards website www.healthinnovationawards.co.nz

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