From 1 July, decision-making within Health New Zealand will shift, giving regions and districts responsibility for delivering on health targets in their areas, with delegated budgets, and the ability to deploy staff where they are needed.
Health Minister Simeon Brown says the changes will ensure decisions are made in the right place at the right time, so Kiwis get better access to care.
“The message from frontline doctors and nurses has been clear: healthcare works best when decisions are made by those who understand their communities and work directly with patients,” said Mr Brown.
The changes will see:
- Local authority: Health New Zealand regions and districts will receive delegated decision making over workforce decisions, budgets, and service delivery.
- National focus: Health New Zealand will retain responsibility for strategy, standards, and system-wide planning.
- Easier hiring: Hospitals will be able to recruit and deploy staff without central sign-off, reducing response times when demand rises.
“Regions and districts will have clearer authority over workforce, resources, and service delivery, while national leadership focuses on strategy, standards, and system planning,” said the Health Minister.
“This is the most significant structural change our Government is making to improve how the health system operates. It is not a return to the District Health Board model, but it will reduce bureaucracy and give hospitals greater authority to make decisions that ensure delivery of the health targets within their budgets, in a way that reflects the needs of their communities.”
Mr Brown says the changes are designed to ensure healthcare services delivered in communities directly improve the lives of patients.
“Health New Zealand’s regions and districts will be responsible for delivering the health targets in their areas, with delegated budgets, the ability to deploy staff where they are needed, and the flexibility to respond faster when demand rises – helping reduce wait times and improve access to care for New Zealanders,” he said.
“Putting patients at the centre of the system means decisions about services and resources are made as close as possible to those receiving care. These changes will deliver a health system that is more responsive, efficient, and focused on getting patients the care they need.
“Our Government is focused on fixing the basics of our healthcare system while building for the future. These changes support that priority and will ensure a healthcare system focused on putting patients first in every decision.”
