This is a request for patients/consumers/family/whanau interested in being interviewed to tell their story about their experience of being on what are known as ‘high risk medicines’.

As you may know in May 2013 the Commission launched a national patient safety campaign to reduce harm from falls, healthcare associated infections, surgery, and medication.

As part this campaign, the Commission wants to develop consumer stories involving high-risk medicines.  High-risk medicines include anticoagulants (eg, warfarin, heparin), opioids (eg, morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl), insulin, concentrated potassium injection and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (eg, methotrexate, azathioprine).

Listening to the experiences of health consumers is at the heart of consumer engagement within the health system. The stories give staff and decision-makers a window into the consumer’s world, their experience of the health service and their perceptions of the quality of care they received. You might like to share things like:

• How did you come to be on this medicine
• What it is like to be put on these medicines
• Whether you had explained to you in a way you can understand what the side effects and risks might be
• Whether you had explained to you in a way you can understand what the medicine is for
• What you have learned about taking this medicine, ie how your life has been affected
• How you are getting on now taking this medicine
• What advice would you give to anyone else taking the same medicine as you

The Commission wants to find patients and clinicians willing to be involved and tell their stories.  These stories will be provided to a wide range of people working in the health and disability sector, and will be aimed at health policy and decision-makers as well as the general public.

The commitment required is a couple of phone calls as way of introduction, setting up the interview etc., an initial interview, and review of the written story to make sure you are happy with it.  If it is an audio visual one then obviously the commitment may require some travelling to where you can be filmed and things like travel and reimbursement will be discussed.

If you are interested, or want more information please ring Natalie Ganley on 021 322 205 or e mail her at Natalie.ganley@hqsc.govt.nz where you will be able to find out more and have all your questions answered. Natalie works Monday to Wednesday in the Auckland office (of the Health Quality & Safety Commission) where the land line is Ph: 09 580 9075