Following national consultation in 2006 an updated design was sent out for consultation in September 2007. The closing date for comments was 1st November 2007. Thank you to all who provided feedback. The sub-committee looking at the design worked to incorporate the practical points raised in the feedback while retaining the safety features.
The Quality Improvement Committee included the establishment of a national drug chart in the Safe Medication Management Project. The implementation and evaluation of the National Medication Chart is now being managed by the Safe Medication Management Programme team. The design of the medication chart is being managed by a medication chart subcommittee of SQM Group with input from SMMP.

The proposed national medication chart was piloted on one ward in the Bay of Plenty DHB in late 2009 and feedback from the pilot informed some minor changes to the medication chart. Two further pilots have been completed at Lakes DHB (commenced 7/4/10) and Hutt Valley DHB (commenced 21/4/10). The results from all three pilots havel informed the final design of the proposed national medication chart.

The national medication chart is being implemented in 2011. An electronic change register for DHBs to input into any future design changes to the national medication chart is in development and should be on-line in July 2011.

For further information please contact Beth Loe, National Coordinator, beth.loe@hqsc.govt.nz