How the Board Works
Meetings of the Board and its three statutory committees are open to the public. Members of the public may seek to speak to specific agenda items, and can participate in the four public forums the Board holds each year.
MidCentral District Health Board logo.
Public Attendance
Speaking to the Board
Public Forums
Deputations
Consultation
Governance Practices
Meetings Open to the Public
All meetings of the Board and its three statutory committees* are open to the public. All board and statutory committee order papers and minutes are available publicly. These can be accessed from the DHB’s website and local libraries. They are also available at the Board meeting.
*Statutory committees are: Community & Public Health Advisory Committee, Disability Support Advisory Committee, and the Hospital Advisory Committee.)
Meetings of the Board and Committees are run in accordance with the Board’s Standing Orders.
Speaking to the Board
The public may request the opportunity to speak to a specific agenda item being considered by the Board or Committee.
Note that speaking at meetings is not a forum to request information from the Board or DHB staff. For such requests, call 06 350 8061.
Arranging a Time to Speak
If you want to speak to the Board regarding a specific agenda item, contact the Board or Committee Secretary on 06 350 8061.
When you call, please be ready to tell the Board or Committee Secretary:
- your name and contact details
- the organisation you will represent, if any
- the subject of your statement - at Board and Statutory Committee meetings you can only speak to items on the agenda.
Some points about Public Participation
You need to advise Board/Committee Secretary of your wish to speak at a meeting by 12 noon the day before the meeting.
The number of public participants who can speak at each meeting is limited. When there are a large number of requests to speak, the Chair of the meeting will determine who will speak.
Each public participant will have between three and five minutes to speak, depending on the number of participants on the day.
You can bring along written material supporting your position. Please ensure that enough copies are available for all members by asking Board Committee Secretary how many copies to bring.
You can obtain copies of agendas at least two days before the meeting from your local library, the DHB, or online.
At the Meeting
DHB meetings are quite formal, so please understand and follow these basic rules:
- When you arrive, you will be greeted by an adviser from DHB who will show you where to sit.
- If you have brought along written material, please give it to the adviser to distribute.
Speaking
When it is your turn to speak the Chair will introduce you formally to the Board/Committee Members.
It is important not to interrupt Board/Committee members when they are speaking and not to speak until requested by the Chair.
Public Forums
The Board holds four public forums a year, one in each of the following districts: Tararua, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Palmerston North. These are open to the public, and generally include a presentation from the local Primary Health Organisation.
Any person can speak at a public forum on any health and disability issue. Questions regarding the treatment and care to specific individuals will not be answered in the forum because of associated privacy issues. Also, it is more appropriate that health professionals providing that care, comment.
Generally, each person is given between 2-5 minutes to speak.
Guidelines are available for public forums and these are contained with the Board’s Standing Orders.
Deputations
Deputations may be made to the Board with the prior consent of the Chair.
Applications to make a deputation must be lodged in writing with the Principal Administration Officer (Board Secretary) at least 11 calendar days before the date of the meeting.
Applications must set out the substance of the deputation.
Generally, the deputation is given between 5-10 minutes to address the Board.
Guidelines are available for deputations and these are contained with the Board’s Standing Orders.
Consultation
From time to time MidCentral DHB formally consults on specific issues.
Governance Practices
A formal training and development programme is undertaken each year to ensure members keep up-to-date with developments within the sector.
New board members receive a comprehensive orientation to the public health sector, and to MidCentral District Health Board.
A conflict of interest register is maintained, and all existing and potential conflicts are managed.
A meeting calendar for the board and its committees is established each year. Meetings of the board are held in outlying areas within the district, and four open forums are held for the public each year.
The board engages both an internal and external auditor to ensure its systems and processes are robust. A strong risk management approach is taken, and this is led through the board’s audit committees.
A work programme is in place for each committee and the board. This is closely linked to the District Annual Plan.
The governance of a District Health Board is a diverse and complex undertaking, and the board has established 7 committees so that it can carry out its responsibilities effectively. It also undertakes regular self and collective assessments of performance so that it can continually improve its systems.
The balance of skills and experience of the board is kept under regular review. Additional knowledge and expertise has been recruited to assist with the governance of the Hospital, Funding, and Enable NZ Divisions and disability issues. These external appointments are made by the Board.
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Last Updated 15/07/2009