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District Health Boards

www.moh.govt.nz/districthealthboards

District Health Boards (DHBs) are responsible for providing, or funding the provision of, health and disability services in their district.

There are 21 DHBs in New Zealand and they have existed since 1 January 2001 when the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 came into force.

The statutory objectives of DHBs include:

  • improving, promoting and protecting the health of communities
  • promoting the integration of health services, especially primary and secondary care services
  • promoting effective care or support of those in need of personal health services or disability support.
Other DHB objectives include promoting the inclusion and participation in society and independence of people with disabilities, reducing health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups, and to reduce toward elimination, health outcome disparities between various population groups.

DHBs are expected to show a sense of social responsibility, to foster community participation in health improvement, and to uphold the ethical and quality standards commonly expected of providers of services and public sector organisations.

Other information on DHBs which may be of interest:

Audit and Monitoring for DHBs - Responsibilities and Guidance 2003 - 2004
This paper updates and combines the Audit and Monitoring: Responsibilities of District Health Boards and Audit and Monitoring: Guidance for DHBs papers previously applicable in the 2001/02 financial year. (Related: Annex Map)

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Features

Nationwide Service Framework Library website - www.nsfl.health.govt.nz

The nationwide service framework library (NSFL) is a collection of guidelines and requirements for DHBs to ensure that New Zealand public health services are provided to an agreed level of nationwide consistency.

Related information

District Health Boards New Zealand (DHBNZ)

DHBNZ is the representative body for DHBs.

PO Box 5535 WELLINGTON
Tel (04) 803 3940
Fax (04) 803 3870
Email: nationaloffice@dhbnz.org.nz
Web: www.dhbnz.org.nz

Level 9,
Sovereign House,
34 Manners Street
WELLINGTON

Chief Executive Officer
Julian Inch
Page last updated: 7 December 2009

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