Source: Office of the Ombudsman
A decision by a hospital whistle-blower to go to the Ombudsman has led Health New Zealand to strengthen nationwide safety checks on employees and contractors working with children.
The Chief Ombudsman, John Allen, has published his final opinion on the case today.
Mr Allen says the hospital worker raised concerns with the Ombudsman under the Protected Disclosures Act 2022.
“Everyone in our country benefits when people are willing to call out serious wrongdoing.”
The person alleged that child safety checks for contractors including police vetting had not been carried out for some years at the hospital where they worked.
The Ombudsman raised the matter with Health NZ, which audited a number of hospitals.
A total of five regions were looked at across the country: Bay of Plenty, Lakes, Tairāwhiti, Nelson-Marlborough and Canterbury.
Concerned by the audit’s results, the Ombudsman initiated his own investigation under the Ombudsmen Act 1975.
The Ombudsman found that Health NZ had not been following the vetting processes required under the Children’s Act 2014.
“I consider it to be wrong and concerning, that this issue had not been picked up for nine years, despite these checks being a legal requirement.”
As a result of the Ombudsman’s findings, Health NZ agreed to update its processes across the country and create a central safety hub. It is also carrying out national audits, and monitoring compliance to make sure children are protected.
Mr Allen says the changes demonstrate how individuals can make a real difference by speaking up.
“The whistle-blower showed great courage and commitment in this case and, by speaking out, their disclosure led to changes not just in one hospital but nationwide.
“It is thanks to their courage and commitment that we have achieved this significant outcome to help keep children safe within the health sector.”
The whistle-blower, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes their actions were worthwhile. “I’m so grateful, extremely pleased and impressed by the outcome of the investigation and the thoroughness and care that was taken to come to this decision.
“If we’ve managed to save one child from harm, I’m ecstatic about that!
“I have peace knowing that the processes put into place will be sufficient to ensure that doesn’t happen again, especially as there is oversight and reporting now.”
Mr Allen says the case highlights the Ombudsman’s role in driving systemic improvement through constructive engagement – both with individuals and with public sector agencies.
“I hope that by publishing my opinion, it may have a positive impact on other sectors that work with children.
“There is a need for better co-ordination across the public sector to improve the monitoring and oversight of safety checks.
“There is a strong case for one agency to have overall responsibility to make sure that vetting occurs.
“Our goal is to ensure the public sector acts lawfully and in the best interests of the people it serves. By speaking up, individuals help us identify where systems are failing and where change is needed,” Mr Allen says.
