David Spriggs
Clinical Director for General Medicine, Auckland ADHB




BIOGRAPHY
Graduated Manchester University 1980. Trained as Geriatrician and General Physician in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. MD thesis “Risk Factors for Stroke – A Case Controlled Study”, 1992 Newcastle University. Fellowship at Westmead Hospital, Sydney in Geriatric medicine. 

Came to Auckland in 1992 and since has practiced as General Physician and Geriatrician, Auckland District Health Board. 

Has served as Clinical Director for General medicine in Auckland for 7 years.

Since 2007, I have been asked to advise on about 15 complaints made to the HDC. I have also acted as advisor to the Coroner and as an external advisor for some DHBs in their internal investigation of possible errors.  

ABSTRACT

Reflections Of An HDC Advisor

The Health and Disability Commission is charged with promoting the Rights of Patients. This includes the right to complain. As part of that process, the HDC may seek advice from independent practitioners.
The purpose of this advice is to allow the Commissioner to judge the professional and ethical performance of providers in the specific case in question against the current NZ standard. It is not to form a more general opinion on the skills or otherwise of the provider.
I have advised the Commission on about 18 cases and I will review some of the lessons I have learnt. I will stress the importance of Open disclosure, Apology and Care of practitioners who are under investigation (“the second victim”) and make some suggestions about how to handle a request for information from the Commission. 
The aims of this presentation are to reduce harm, reduce worry, reduce workload and reduce ignorance.