Media release from Northern Regional District Health Boards

One of the Government's key responses to the Ministerial Review Group report is a drive to achieve greater efficiency in non-clinical support services. Health Benefits Limited (HBL) was established to lead these initiatives nationally.

The four Northern DHBs (Counties Manukau DHB, Auckland DHB, Waitemata DHB and Northland DHB) are following this lead and, working with HBL have determined that significant efficiency and financial gains could be made by sharing some administrative and support functions

The Northern DHBs (NRDHB) are considering the establishment of a northern regional shared service organisation (NRSSO) and are undertaking a full consultation process with staff who may be directly affected and their unions.

Northern DHB administrative and support areas under consideration include:

• Finance (Transactional processing)
• Procurement
• Supply Chain
• Information Services (includes existing functions covered by  healthAlliance Information Services)
• Auckland Regional Resident Medical Officer Support Services (ARRMOS)
• Auckland Regional Internal Audit

The proposal would mean staff from affected administration and support services would transfer to the new entity under their current employment terms and conditions. They would also initially remain in the same location.

Northern DHBs spokesperson and Northland DHB chair, Tony Norman says if this proposal is adopted, it could mean in the medium to longer term, the way the work activities are organised within the proposed NRSSO, and where certain activities are physically located, would be reviewed in order to achieve the most efficient and effective administration and support services for the NRDHBs. These proposals have been developed in consultation with HBL and will be finalised in conjunction with HBL.

"Subject to the proposal being accepted, there is still quite a bit of work to do including the potential appointment of a chief executive.  However, first we need to listen to what district health board staff have to say about this proposal."