Tony Ryall

Wellington, June 11 NZPA - Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced an interim board of a new independent Health Quality and Safety Commission (HQSC).

The Government has also disestablished the Quality Improvement Committee.

The HQSC was suggested by the ministerial review group last year. It will help improve public safety and service quality across the health sector.

The board would be chaired by Auckland University's Alan Merry.

Other appointments to the interim board were chair of the New Zealand Medical Association Peter Foley, director of nursing for Pegasus Health Shelly Frost, Middlemore intensive care specialist David Galler, former chief executive of Nurse Maude Association Anthea Penny, ACC senior medical advisor Peter Jansen and Counties Manukau District Health Board chief executive Geraint Martin.

The interim board will hold its first meeting in Auckland this week.

Ian Powell, of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialist, welcomed the announcements and said it was important for the board to provide greater focus on quality and safety in the health system.