Community Matters - Why your DHB vote counts

 

Many people find voting in the district health board elections difficult as there are many candidates standing, they are elected “at large”, which is across the whole of Northland rather than in wards, and there is limited knowledge about what the health board actually does. Health care is of course vitally important to us all, and when we need it, we expect it to be timely, quality and as close to home as possible.

The 20 district health boards were formed under the NZ Public Health and Disability Act 2000. DHBs are required to improve, promote and protect the health of people and communities in their area. They are expected to show a sense of social responsibility and to foster community participation in health improvement, reduce health disparities by improving health outcomes for disadvantaged groups, and promote inclusion and independence of those living with disabilities.

Health services funded by DHBs include hospitals, public health, health promotion, GPs, district nurses, mental health, maternity, pharmacies and dental services. Some health services are paid for directly by the Ministry of Health, such as independent midwives and other specific government initiatives.

In our area the Northland DHB covers from the top of the North Island to Te Hana in the south. The DHB funds the Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) who employ the GPs and other primary health care services, as well as contracting services from community health organisations.

In our district (Paparoa, Maungaturoto, Kaiwaka and Mangawhai) our primary health care is provided by Coast to Coast Health Care based in Wellsford. This puts us in a cross-over area between Northland and Waitemata DHBs, which can lead to our area falling between the cracks in terms of the DHBs knowing our health needs.

DHBs are governed by a board of up to 11 members; seven are elected at these local government elections and the Minister of Health appoints another four, as well as appointing the chair and deputy chair.

As with other governance boards the board’s role is to set the overall, strategic direction of the DHB and to monitor its performance. The government sets health targets that it expects the board to meet within budget, such as immunisation rates in children, waiting times at Emergency Department and specialist appointments, and timeframes for cancer treatment.

Voting in Northland District Health Board elections is vital to ensure that our area has strong and informed representation. Voting closes October 8.

n Libby Jones is involved in many community organisations in both paid and volunteer roles. She has experience in social services, health and education including governance, funding, research, clinical and management roles.