In this edition

  • Resetting the health system – Health Minister Andrew Little
  • Updating on HNZ and MHA structure
  • Next interim Government Policy Statement webinar
  • Prototypes begin the task of defining good practice
  • Public Health Advisory Committee appointees

Resetting the health system


Kia ora,  

Ensuring every New Zealander gets the healthcare they need, no matter who they are or where they live, is one of the Government’s top priorities.

That’s why Budget 22 had a core focus on resetting the health system and included a record funding investment for health - so from the very beginning it has the best start.


Our future health system will be nationally coordinated, regionally designed and locally tailored to address long-standing inequity and the postcode lottery.

The Budget 22 investment includes a record $1.8 billion funding boost to clear the existing DHB financial deficits so Health New Zealand, and the Māori Health Authority, can start with a clean slate.   

The $1.8 billion will be available to cover: 

  • the final deficits left behind at the end of the 2021/22 financial year 
  • demographic changes for a growing and aging population 
  • improvements to health services as the shift is made to nationwide planning 

The Māori Health Authority will be responsible for a $168 million direct commissioning budget, in addition to the management of around $2 billion over four years of existing funding currently managed by DHBs. 

Budget 22 also invests in new ways of working so people can get the care they need closer to home, with a long-term goal of taking pressure off our hospitals.

We are lifting the data and digital capability of the health system so our healthcare workers can continue to provide quality care and make the best decisions for patients. 

We are also investing to develop the health workforce. 

The next step is to pass the Pae Ora legislation and from July 1 our vision of a truly nationwide health system will launch with the establishment of Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority as permanent entities, and the Ministry of Health’s role as steward of the new health system.
 
Post-budget I shared key aspects of Budget 2022 in Auckland - You can watch a recording of this address here(external link).
 
Nga mihi, 
 
Health Minister Andrew Little

Update on HNZ and MHA structure


Last month Chief Executives of Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority, Margie Apa and Riana Manuel, shared the high-level organisational structure and way of working for the two new entities.

Health New Zealand and the Māori Health Authority are working closely together to develop a team of teams approach to the new health system, as outlined in key documents available online(external link).

The high-level structure includes both national and regional roles, with some currently being advertised.(external link)

A number of appointments to interim leadership roles with Health New Zealand have been made to help continue the momentum of the transition to the new health system. For more information visit: www.hnz.govt.nz/future-of-health/health-workforce/interim-leadership-teams(external link)

These roles will provide continuity and leadership across the sector while recruitment for the permanent leaders is undertaken. They will support transition into the new organisations, and develop new operating models to support delivery of services that are nationally planned, regionally delivered, and locally led.

Further appointments to the leadership team will be available on a dedicated page on the Health New Zealand(external link) and Māori Health Authority(external link) websites.

View recordings

Recordings of Margie and Riana’s recent hui are available on websites:

Future stakeholder hui – 14 June

These sessions are part of a continuing conversation with the sector. The next ones will be held on 14 June.  If you’d like to join, keep an eye on future editions of this newsletter.

Next interim Government Policy Statement webinar – Improving Equity in the reformed system


Registrations are now open for the next in the series of online hui on the Government Policy Statement, and its direction-setting role in the reformed system. 

The Government Policy Statement sets out the Government's priorities and expectations for the health system, usually over a three-year period.

The second webinar in the series will be held on 1 June 2022 at 11:30am-12:30pm, with panelists including the Minister of Health Andrew Little, Associate Minister of Health (Pacific Peoples) Aupito William Sio, Chief Executive of interim Māori Health Authority Riana Manuel, Chief Executive of interim Health New Zealand Margie Apa and the Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

The discussion will focus on how the reformed health system will work to improve equity for different population groups and all communities living within New Zealand that may not have had equitable access to healthcare in the past.

Register and view the previous session at https://myevents.nz/MOH/HealthAndDisabilitySectorReforms(external link)

Prototypes begin the task of defining good practice


The first nine areas to roll out the locality approach to primary and community healthcare are jointly developing initial structures and scope for the new way of working.

The locality approach is founded on community, social and health organisations working together to agree on health priorities for their communities, which will be set out in a locality plan. Networks of health and social service providers then work together to deliver on the objectives set out in the locality plan.

The first areas were announced as prototypes in April. They are intended to test early thinking around how locality partnerships would be developed, and what arrangements need to be in place to deliver on outcomes set out in locality plans.

All nine areas are now collaborating to establish the initial infrastructure needed to support delivery, including what key organisations should be involved in the partnerships and what programme management arrangements need to be in place.

Draft locality plans are being developed by each prototype and will be confirmed in the coming months.

Public Health Advisory Committee appointees


There has been an excellent response to the expressions of interest for membership of the Public Health Advisory Committee. A formal process of selection and appointment is now underway, and expected to be completed by the end of July. 

A formal announcement will be made after the Minister of Health and then Cabinet have approved the final membership.

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