The Safe Surgery NZ Programme is the latest evolution of a long standing programme aimed at reducing perioperative harm. Reducing perioperative harm has been one of the Health Quality & Safety Commission’s quality improvement programmes since 2012. In 2015 the Programme changed its name from Reducing Perioperative Harm to Safe Surgery NZ.

The Programme, originally due to run until June 2018, has since been extended to 2020. This evaluation covers the period 2015-2017, although it does consider some key developments that occurred prior, where these informed the Programme design.

Two years into its roll out the Safe Surgery NZ Programme is a good strategic fit and is making steady progress. Interventions continue to be rolled out in a sustainable way but the full impact of the Programme is yet to be seen.

See also the interim findings report, published in March 2017.