Twenty finalists have been chosen out of nearly 130 entrants in the New Zealand Health Innovation Awards.

Maori and Pacific peoples, people with emphysema, and spinal cord injury patients are among those benefiting from clever thinking by the 20 Health Innovation Awards finalists announced today.

The 2008 New Zealand Health Innovation Awards (HIA) recognise individuals and organisations developing new and innovative approaches to delivering better health services.

Minister of Health David Cunliffe said innovations included a healthy lifestyle nursing service for Maori and Pacific peoples in Hawke’s Bay, a new ventilation system for people with emphysema and other respiratory diseases in Canterbury and helping those with a spinal cord injury express their sexuality.

 Five finalists are from the Auckland region, five from Wellington, three from Waikato, two from Canterbury, two from Hawke’s Bay, two from the West Coast and one from Timaru.

“The New Zealand Health Innovation Awards are gaining momentum because people recognise we showcase the cutting edge developments within our health services,” Mr Cunliffe said.

“This year we’ve had nearly 130 entries. This shows once again that New Zealanders excel when it comes to thinking up unique, workable solutions.”

 ACC Minister Maryann Street said  "I am pleased ACC is working with the Ministry of Health to celebrate original thinking and use this energy and creativity to improve the health and rehabilitation of New Zealanders."

The HIA, a joint endeavour of the Ministry of Health and the Accident Compensation Corporation, were started in 2003. In 2008, there are eight categories.

This year’s HIA winners will be announced at the HIA expo and gala dinner held on October 16 at the Wellington Town Hall.

 The complete list of finalists is attached. Further information about the HIA is

available online at http://www.healthinnovationawards.co.nz.

 2008 HIA Finalists

 ·        Capital & Coast District Health Board: Wellington Hearing Expo 2007

·        Capital & Coast District Health Board: Change is as good as a rest

·        Capital & Coast District Health Board: Where do your referrals GO

·        Ministry of Social Development: PATHS – Providing Access to Health Solutions

·        NZ Guidelines Group: Self Harm & Suicide Prevention Collaborative –Whakawhanaungatanga

·        Waikato District Health Board, Population Health Service (PHS): Hands up for health – hand hygiene campaign

·        Waikato District Health Board: Double Balloon Enteroscopy – A new frontier!

·        Waikato District Health Board: Measuring patient dependency addresses rehab nurses’ needs and discharge planning

·        Counties Manukau District Health Board: Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit: Intimacy and sexuality after spinal cord injury

·        East Tamaki Healthcare Services Ltd: THO Immunisation World Cup – Enhancing productivity through increased discretionary effort

·        ProCare Network North & Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara: Te Awaroa Lifestyles – A Mana Whenua & mainstream PHO partnership

·        Auckland District Health Board: HVAZ – A partnership of Pacific communities and public health service

·        The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand: Project Target 450 – Reducing sodium in bread

·        Hawke’s Bay District Health Board: Project Incubator

·        Hawke’s Bay Primary Health Organisation: The Hawke’s Bay PHO – Nurse-led healthy lifestyle clinics

·        West Coast District Health Board: Alternative pathways for new patients

·        West Coast Primary Health Organisation: Addressing Maori access and utilisation of primary health care

·        Canterbury District Health Board: Acute Medical Assessment Unit

·        Canterbury District Health Board: Developing an acute non-invasive ventilation service at Christchurch Hospital

·        drugIDnz Ltd: Development of drugIDnz - an electronic drug identification tool for New Zealand

 The categories:

·        Excellence in Primary Health Care

·        Excellence in Quality Improvement

·        Excellence in Prevention

·        Excellence in Rehabilitation

·        Excellence in Treatment

·        Excellence in Innovation

·        Excellence in Process Improvement

·        Finalists' Choice