MDHB News

centralAlliance (Central Alliance) - Background Information

MidCentral and Whanganui DHBs have established an alliance between both organisations to support shared planning and provision of services.

General Background

The two DHBs already have a number of shared services in place, including:

Allied Laundry Services Ltd;
payroll information system;
public health services.

Currently the following areas are being established to further share resources:

International workforce issues and the increasing pressure on the health dollar means collaboration is even more important to ensure clinical and financial sustainability. The development of an alliance is a logical next step, and formalises both DHBs commitment to collaboration, and establishes a basis for future shared services.

Are other district health boards collaborating in a similar way?

Southland and Otago DHBs established a health alliance some years ago and the centralAlliance (Central Alliance) is using this as a model. Southland and Otago based their alliance on working together to develop a consistent, regional approach to health and disability service planning which will result in health gains for their resident populations. They have established shared corporate services and information systems, and a shared planning function.

Who is leading the work?

The centralAlliance (Central Alliance) work being implemented is wholly consistent with the Minister of Health’s directive for collaboration between District Health Boards.

Clinicians have been involved in the centralAlliance (Central Alliance) from the very beginning and their cooperation and insight will be continually and eagerly sought.

The work is being led on behalf of the two DHB Boards by a sub committee comprising the respective Board Chairperson, Board deputy chairperson and the CEOs of both DHBs.

Does this mean both DHBs will combine?

The alliance will not change each DHB’s responsibilities under legislation to plan, provide and govern health and disability services in their respective districts. Each DHB will remain autonomous - legally and structurally independent of each other.

What is happening now?

The centralAlliance (Central Alliance) has developed a foundation agreement (820KB) which has the Minister of Health’s support.

A road map sets out the specific projects (75KB) across the full range of DHB responsibility areas (governance/corporate, planning & funding, and service delivery). Each project will have key milestones, and measures of success that will be communicated to the public. This work is now getting underway on a progressive basis.