14 complaints received by health board

14 complaints have been received by the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

The Health and Disabilities Commissioner received 14 complaints about Hawke's Bay District Health Board in the first half of this year.

Hawke's Bay DHB communications and media manager Anna Kirk said 10 had been closed and four were still with the HDC awaiting a decision.

She said surgery was the most complained about service type and "care and treatment" the most complained about issue.

The rate of complaints was 86.38 per 100,000 discharges, just above the national average of 84.67 complaints.

The HDC reported receiving 389 complaints about care provided by DHBs nationally over the six months - the highest number of complaints ever received in a six-month period.

The report said missed, incorrect or delayed diagnosis was the most common specific primary issue in complaints about services.

It was the primary reason for about 20 per cent of complaints.

Communication also featured prominently when complaints were analysed. Failure to communicate effectively was an issue in about 34 per cent of complaints.

The report said inadequate co-ordination of care was often noted in complaints. Patients often moved from one part of the health care system to another. It was essential different units communicated well and there was a safe and seamless system to ensure the patient received appropriate care at all stages, according to the report.