Changes to the national mortality review function
From November 2022, Te Tāhū Hauora has been implementing changes to the national mortality review function (NMRF). The reformed function will be in place from 1 July 2023.
Implementation of changes to the national mortality review function
From November 2022, Te Tāhū Hauora has been implementing changes to the national mortality review function (NMRF). This includes developing key tools, such as a decision-making framework for evaluating current and new areas of mortality review.
The NMRF will continue to uphold key functions and activities of the current mortality review committees (MRCs), with a dual focus on reporting key mortality trends as well as assessing and prioritising areas of greatest need.
One mortality review committee
A single National Mortality Review Committee (NMRC) will be in place from 1 July 2023. The NMRC and Te Tāhū Hauora will work closely with the existing MRCs to transition institutional knowledge, and to ensure current members are well positioned to continue to provide an important voice as subject matter experts.
Initial workstreams
- Mortality review workstreams across child and youth, perinatal and maternal, and suicide will continue in the 2023/24 financial year under the transformed NMRF.
- A national expert group will continue to provide oversight and advice on national trends in perioperative deaths.
- Family violence death review will remain in place for the long term.
Beyond this, the NMRC will have the flexibility to focus on both current and emerging priority areas, informed by an all-mortality decision-making framework.
MRC secretariat
Te Tāhū Hauora will work with the MRC secretariat to plan and transition its role and function into the future NMRF.
Subject matter expert
On 1 July 2023, formal statutory powers under Schedule 5 of the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 will be transferred to the National Mortality Review Committee. Existing MRC members will be invited to continue as subject matter experts.
The 2023/24 year
The first year of operation in 2023/24 under the reformed NMRF structure will see further refinements, including exploring new areas of mortality review, introducing new ways to disseminate findings and recommendations, and further deepening relationships with key health and social system entities.
The reformed national mortality review function will be in place from 1 July 2023.
Related pages
If you have any questions about the revised national mortality review function, please email NMRFchange@hqsc.govt.nz.
Last updated: 6th April, 2023
