The Accountability Framework

The Health and Disability System Review and subsequent engagements found that many New Zealanders want the health system to be more accountable and transparent. They feel it could do more to ensure they are heard, seen, listened to, and treated fairly.

The reformed health system will be a more transparent and accountable one, where it’s intentionally easier for New Zealanders to see how the health system is performing and hold it to account.

There are three areas that will be strengthened to better support public accountability. They are:

• Transparency
• Responding to whānau and community need
• Organisational culture

The Accountability Framework currently being developed will focus monitoring and reporting on three areas: outcomes, priority actions and operational performance.

Over time, more information will be publicly available, including better national comparisons of care - so that people can see how their local services are performing.

Both the Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) and Te Aka Whai Ora - Māori Health Authority have statutory monitoring roles. They are working together to develop and embed the health sector accountability framework.

Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) has a strengthened role as chief steward, and Te Aka Whai Ora - Māori Health Authority with new statutory functions will:

• monitor the delivery of hauora Māori services by Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand
• provide public reports on the results of that monitoring; monitor, in co-operation with Manatū Hauora and Te Puni Kōkiri, the performance of the publicly funded health sector in relation to hauora Māori; and
• evaluate the delivery and performance of services provided or funded by the Te Aka Whai Ora - Māori Health Authority.

Read more about the accountability framework at Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand(external link)