Health System Reform 2022

On 21 April 2021 the Minister of Health Andrew Little and Associate Minister of Health (Māori) Peeni Henare announced major health reform to take effect from 1 July 2022.  These reforms will see the biggest change in the way the health and disability system of Aotearoa New Zealand is organised since District Health Boards were established 1 January 2001.

The reforms are outlined in a White Paper – Summary here

Reason for the Reforms

The public health and disability system increasingly struggles with delivering services in a way that reflects equity and consistency for everyone in Aotearoa. Demand for health services keeps growing, due to an ageing population, advances in care and the fact that many more people have chronic health conditions.

What is the aim of the new health system?

The new health system will be a single health service with the aim of providing consistent, high-quality health services for everyone. The changes are designed to improve equity of access to care, particularly for groups that have not had their health needs well met in the past.

What does the new health system look like?

Under the new system:

• the Ministry of Health will be focused on policy, strategy and regulation
• Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ), will replace the 20 DHBs and take over planning and commissioning of services to remove duplication and provide national planning
• Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority) will work alongside Te Whatu Ora to improve services and achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori, and to directly commission tailored health services for Māori
• a new Public Health Agency within the Ministry of Health, and a strengthened, national public health service within Te Whatu Ora.

What does this mean for the Kaiāwhina Workforce?

The 2019 Health Systems Review, which provided guidance for the Reform decisions, highlighted the importance of the Kaiāwhina workforce as an essential part of the health and disability system.  A quote in the Executive Summary of the New Zealand Health and Disability System Review Report Pūrongo Mō Tēnei Wā September 2019 states:

Taking a strategic approach to growing our Kaiāwhina workforce over the next 5 years will be a key to achieving a step change in the ways in which we are able to deliver services.

The need for a sustainable, valued, and supported Kaiāwhina Workforce has been further highlighted in the response to the Covid19 pandemic and will continue to have an emphasis during the reform transition and into the future. Kaiāwhina work at the frontline in every part of the health and disability system including being able to reach people who find access to services difficult often due to equity issues.

Useful links:

Frequently Asked Questions:
https://dpmc.govt.nz/our-business-units/transition-unit/response-health-and-disability-system-review/faqs

Health Navigator information on the reforms:
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthcare-in-nz/health-system-reform/