Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2005

Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2005
The Minister of Health’s fifth report on progress on the New Zealand Health Strategy, and the second report on actions to improve quality

ISBN 0-478-29900-1 (Book)
ISBN 0-478-29901-X (Web)

HP 4205

Date of publication: December 2005

Suggested citation: Minister of Health. 2005. Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2005: The Minister of Health’s fifth report on progress on the New Zealand Health Strategy, and the second report on actions to improve quality. Wellington: Ministry of Health.
Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2005 documents the wide range of activities being done by communities, DHBs, PHOs and other providers, at national and local levels to progress the New Zealand Health Strategy and drive good health for all New Zealanders.

The New Zealand Health Strategy was introduced in 2000 with its goal to ensure a healthier New Zealand – for all New Zealanders. This report looks at the progress being made in implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy in 2005. Reporting on progress annually, serves the twin purposes of measuring our steps towards those real plans, and celebrating the work of all involved.

Case studies throughout the report highlight local initiatives to improve health service delivery. The cases demonstrate the effective and responsive face of the New Zealand Health Strategy. Trend data was also included to map our progress since the launch of the New Zealand Health Strategy five years ago with improving trends for reduced tobacco consumption, lower youth smoking rates, greater uptake of free annual diabetes checks by Pacific people, and the lowest suicide rate since 1985. In other areas, such as workforce development and reducing obesity, further effort is required.

An important inclusion is the annual report on the Quality Improvement Strategy. The action plan to ensure a high-performing system, in which people have confidence, and the progress of that plan is reported in Chapter 7. This report is available separately below.

Since the launch of the New Zealand Health Strategy we have seen the release of major strategic directions and legislative changes that directly impact on the goals of health promotion, reducing inequalities, improving access, managing chronic disease, and fostering trust in the health system. Highlights include the enactment of the Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act and the implementation of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, new Drinking-Water Standards, the New Zealand Cancer Control Strategy and Action Plan, the Health Information Strategy for New Zealand and Healthy Eating – Healthy Action: Oranga Kai – Oranga Pumau.

The key development in the health sector since the rollout of the New Zealand Health Strategy has been the development of PHOs under the Primary Health Care Strategy. With new streams of funding and new ways of reaching those in need, improved primary health care is now being provided to more than 3.8 million New Zealanders. Increased co-ordination of health services is a goal of the Primary Health Care Strategy and this report outlines many of the co-ordinated PHO activities delivering innovative solutions to meet community health needs.

We have seen real successes in working collaboratively. The Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme is New Zealand’s largest-ever immunisation strategy, requiring effective teamwork between DHBs, PHOs, schools and providers to deliver this health initiative to one-quarter of New Zealand’s population. The Healthy Housing programme, in partnership with Housing New Zealand, to reduce overcrowding and improve access to primary health care, won the Supreme Award in this year’s New Zealand Health Innovation Awards.

Implementing Improving Quality (IQ): A Systems Approach for the New Zealand Health and Disability Sector

He iti ra, he iti mapihi pounamu.

A small contribution can be as valuable as a precious stone.

The Minister of Health’s second report on progress in implementing Improving Quality (IQ): A Systems Approach for the New Zealand Health and Disability Sector has been published as a section of Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2005 and, as a statutory report, has been made separately available here.

The report fulfils the Minister of Health’s requirement under section 9 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 to report annually on progress in implementing the Quality Improvement Strategy.

In September 2003, the Minister of Health released Improving Quality (IQ): A Systems Approach for the New Zealand Health and Disability Sector, as required under the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and launched IQ Action Plan: Supporting the improving quality approach.

Much of the significant interest in improving quality in health care can be attributed to the impact of the IQ strategy and the associated action plan, which support current quality activities within the sector and strengthen the developing culture of continuous quality improvement.

The IQ Action Plan identifies 55 actions derived from the 11 goals of Improving Quality to be led by the Ministry of Health, DHBs and Pharmac. These actions have been largely completed and work has begun to develop the second action plan.

Document availability

This publication is available in PDF format below.

Implementing the New Zealand Health Strategy 2005 (PDF, 823 kB)

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