From the Minister's Desk

Green Light for New Sector

What's Transferring

DHB Elections

Welcome to the 25th issue of Health Moves.

This issue marks the beginning of the new health sector with the first transfer of community-based funding responsibility to District Health Boards (DHBs).

It's pleasing that all the planning, consulting, discussion and talking is now culminating in this milestone in delivering a new health system - one characterised by local involvement, collaboration and focusing on the key goals of the New Zealand Health Strategy.

I would like to thank all of those working in the health sector for helping translate our plans into reality. It hasn't been easy, but it is worth it. DHBs and Ministry staff have worked hard to secure an effective transfer.

I am proud to be involved in a sector where there are so many passionate people dedicated to ensuring health services improve the health of New Zealanders. After all that is why we are all here.

In future issues of Health Moves, we would like to have a 'DHB Corner' in which DHBs provide information about initiatives in their districts from which they think other DHBs could benefit. First up in the next issue is Canterbury District Health Board. This does not mean other Boards cannot contribute to the next issue if they have good ideas to share. DHBs should contact Anna Pethig (Ministry of Health) tel (04) 496 2051, or Dionne Barton (Minister's office) tel (04) 470 6851.

Hon Annette King
Minister of Health

Approximately 1700 service agreements devolved to district health boards on 1 July. This paperwork represents the small cogs turning behind the scenes to achieve the mechanics of what is required to allow our health services to function smoothly.

The agreements cover services in mental health, personal health and Maori health. The organisations that provide health services in these areas will negotiate with, be monitored by, be accountable to and be funded by the local DHB(s) rather than a central agency. This will enable a local focus on how all services collaborate to deliver services for local people.

Perhaps most importantly the DHBs will also be responsible for funding hospital services through separate Crown funding agreements. Another 600-800 contracts will be handed on by the Ministry of Health in October.

All providers affected by the changeover have been contacted and all current rights and obligations will continue to be met by the funding agency (either the DHB or the Ministry of Health). The Ministry remains responsible for paying for services delivered before 30 June 2001 under those transferring contracts.

Underpinning the changes is the New Zealand Health Strategy, which sets out the priorities guiding boards in their decision making.

Today's changes move us a step closer to empowering District health Boards working with their local communities throughout New Zealand to determine their health needs and decide how best to meet them, and how to address disparities in health status.

This community focus is particularly important in enabling Maori to achieve their own health aspirations.

On 1 July the following service agreements transferred to DHBs. These transfers were performed by Order-in-Council:

• local (ie, within a district) personal health service agreements for service with non-government organisations, eg, pharmacy contracts, contracts with local branches of national groups like the Asthma Society

• local mental health service agreements with non-government organisations, except where the service agreements are with community residential providers who have payments processed by individual beneficiary. These providers have their payments processed through a different payment system, and the Ministry of Health wishes to provide more time to fully test the system in the new environment prior to transferring them. An example of a transferring contract would be that with an Independent Practice Association for primary mental health care

• local Maori health service agreements for service with non-government organisations, eg, Maori child health services.

Any service agreement that involves the delivery of services within one district has been allocated to that district's DHB.

Section 88 Notices
Transfer of obligations under some section 88 notices (formerly section 51s) also transferred on 1 July 2001.

Next Order in Council
There will be a second Order-in-Council to take effect on 1 October 2001 to allow for further transfers.

Keeping Providers Informed
The Ministry of Health has written to providers letting them know which DHB their service agreement will be with, from what date; who will process their payments and monitor their delivery and who they contact if they have any issues.

Interim Arrangements
For some providers, there will be an interim (three-month) transition period where they will have relationships with both the Ministry of Health and the DHBs. However, in practice, many of the day-to-day issues will be managed by people they are familiar with. This is because many staff from the Ministry have either transferred to DHBs or accepted positions within them.

The first elections for DHBs will be by postal voting. Voting papers are expected to be sent to registered voters between 21 and 26 September and voters will then be able to complete and send their voting papers to the electoral officers. Voting closes at noon on 13 October.

Nominations of candidates seeking election as board members open on 27 July and close at noon on 24 August.

The Ministry is working closely with DHBs over arrangements for the elections and they in turn are working closely with electoral officers in territorial authorities. The electoral officers will run the elections for the DHBs.

Following initial advertisements in 100 newspapers in June, there will be more advertising and information in all media including radio, magazines and television over the next few months. DHBs are also providing information to their local communities.

Publicity will at first encourage potential candidates, especially those from under-represented groups, to stand for election. A good mix of backgrounds, skills, cultures and experience will add strength to boards.

Once nominations have closed the focus will move to encouraging electors to vote.

More information on the DHB elections is available by calling 0800 727 842 or by using website: www.moh.govt.nz/electionsdhb.

To respond to this newsletter, receive it, or have your name taken off the mailing list, please e-mail: healthmoves@moh.govt.nz or write to: Annette King, Minister of Health, Health Moves, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.