Recognition of the power of EWS in reducing patient morbidity and mortality has recently
led to both Wales and the Republic of Ireland introducing standardised national systems.
Of note, both these countries have populations (3 and 4.5 million respectively) and
healthcare systems comparable to New Zealand. Although the Royal College of
Physicians in England has recommended a national EWS (‘NEWS’), the disparate
competing nature of NHS trusts has led to only a few adopting this evidence-based
system. Along with Wales & the Republic of Ireland, it is upon the UK NEWS that the
proposed NZEWS is based (see section 2 - The Proposal).