Media release from Waitemata DHB

Waitemata DHB favours two PHOs for the Waitemata district and will consult further on two specific issues relating to PHO configuration.

This follows an extensive round of consultation with stakeholders undertaken this year.  The original consultation looked at whether or not Waitemata DHB should have one or two Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) in its district, a reduction from the current number of six PHOs.

Waitemata DHB yesterday voted to extend the consultation as a result of feedback received and also to endorse the concept of contracting two PHOs only across its district in the future.  

This consultation will consider whether the two PHOs should be geographically based (one in the North and one in the West) or whether they should both be district wide, and able to offer different choices for GPs. [Patients can still choose a GP under either scenario, just as they can now].

"We have chosen to undertake this additional consultation because the Board was presented with an alternative option that was not part of the intial thinking," says Board Chair Dr Lester Levy.  "The concept has merit and should be considered along with the original model.  We have now put up the idea for a further round of comment. This demonstrates the value of true consultation in injecting new thinking into the process".

Feedback from key stakeholders will be sought by 5pm, Wednesday 13th October 2010.

An original round of consultation was also undertaken on the shape of a new Maori organisation.  The Board today endorsed a continued engagement with key stakeholders to further develop this model.    Options to be considered include:

·                       a Maori organisation that plans for the district and is a Maori provider

·                       Maori who are partners in Waitemata's two PHOs, with particular responsibilities around Maori Health

·                       a Ngati Whatua-led Maori strategy and planning organisation.

Consultation on the shape of Maori involvement will also conclude at 5pm, Wednesday 13th October 2010.

The Waitemata DHB Board will decide on the final PHO configuration and the Maori organisation at its October 2010 meeting.