Reporting adverse events signifies an important step towards improving health outcomes for New Zealanders.

An adverse event is an event with negative reactions or results that are unintended, unexpected or unplanned.

In practice, this is most often understood as an event which results in harm to a client.

Under the National Adverse Events Reporting Policy 2017, Whanganui DHB is expected to:

1. report serious adverse events;
2. undertake formal review of serious adverse events.

Clients and their whānau who have been involved in an event will be offered the opportunity to share their story as part of the review process. In turn, review findings and recommendations will be shared back to them.