Central region will benefit from District Health Boards working together

03/04/2009 | Central region alliance

The green light has been given by Health Minister Tony Ryall for a co-operative agreement between MidCentral, and Whanganui District Health Boards, called the centralAlliance.

Although the two boards have been looking at ways they can maximise the resources and knowledge base of each, the Minister of Health’s endorsement means that it is now full steam ahead.  Whanganui DHB Board Chair Kate Joblin and MidCentral Board Chair Ian Wilson say they are delighted with Mr Ryall’s support.

The agreement between both district health boards will look at ways they can plan and deliver health care across the region in a way that benefits both the community and health professionals.

A recent example of a shared clinical approach is the soon-to-be appointed Regional Clinical Director for Women Health. The importance of a regional role such as this brings together health professionals across the region and provides the peer support and management framework they require to maintain staffing numbers and promote the sharing of clinical knowledge.

While the centralAlliance is clearly focussing on ways in which the two district health boards can collaborate in the delivery of health care, there are also important non-clinical functions that can be shared, such as Wanganui adopting the same financial management system as MidCentral, so the two organisations can share best practice and compare “like with like”.

While giving his whole-hearted support to the collaborative spirit of the alliance framework Mr Ryall said that further developments such as shared service provision would still require separate approval under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act section 24, through district annual plans, district strategic plans “or specific approval processes, as appropriate.”

Under the alliance each District Health Board would remain autonomous but Mr Ryall said that the alliance must be formally recognised and discussed by both District Health Boards in its district annual plans for 2009/10, and during the process for determining its new district strategic plans.

The centralAlliance, is based on the model adopted by Otago, and Southland DHBs which is operating successfully and with great benefit to the communities within that region.

Kate Joblin                               Ian Wilson
Chairman                                 Chairman
Whanganui District Health         MidCentral District Health      
Board                                      Board