Clinical Training Agency in New Zealand

Frequently Asked Questions on Postgraduate Nursing Training Funding

1. Has the CTA devolved the Ex-deficit Nursing Training and National Nursing Training programmes funding to DHBs?

No. Each DHB has been allocated a maximum amount per annum, based on a Population Based Funding Formula. Annually each DHB will inform the CTA of the mix of postgraduate nursing training categories and levels required within the total funds available for that DHB. The CTA Postgraduate Nursing Training Specification is not a stand-alone document. The specification is attached to a Head of Agreement and a Service Agreement.

2. Which nursing workforce is the CTA postgraduate nursing training funding intended for?

The CTA postgraduate nursing training funding will be applied to all the DHB or Ministry of Health funded health service nursing workforce, within the DHBs specific geographic area. This will include DHB provider arm (hospital and community), DHB non-provider arm (funded through DHB Planning and Funding contracts) and Ministry of Health funded nursing workforces. The non-provider-arm healthcare services include Non Government Organisation/Primary Health Organisation/Maori/Pacific/Aged Care healthcare services etc.

3. Who will oversee the application of the CTA postgraduate nursing training funding?

District Health Boards will have a designated programme co-ordinator who will be responsible for the co-ordination of CTA funded postgraduate nursing training.
The Head of Agreement, Service Agreement and specification will be monitored by CTA through reporting and audit processes.

4. How will nurses access CTA postgraduate nursing training funding?

Each DHB will have a clear written, equitable DHB wide application and selection process for CTA postgraduate nursing training funds. The Programme Co-ordinator will be responsible for communicating the DHB process to all the DHB or Ministry of Health funded health services nursing workforce, within the DHBs specific geographic area.

5. Who will determine which nursing training programmes will be funded?

District Health Boards will be responsible for prioritising appropriate postgraduate nursing training programmes, in accordance with:

prioritised workforce needs, identified by the DHB
the District Annual Plan and District Strategic Plan
the Workforce Action Plan (WAP), as required by the District Health Boards New Zealand (DHBNZ)
Government priorities and national health policy.

Nurses entering or on a postgraduate training pathway that falls outside the DHB or Ministry of Health funded health service nursing workforce requirements will not be funded through CTA funding.

6. Why are graduate certificates (level 7) no longer being funded by CTA?

Postgraduate nursing training programmes build on the foundation of knowledge and skills already achieved in a pre-registration nursing programme. Consultation with the sector gave a clear message that as the undergraduate nursing degree is level 7 on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) framework, then postgraduate education should be at a level 8. This was supported by the EAG.

It is important to remember that the CTA is not the only source of funding for nursing workforce training. District Health Boards can choose to continue to fund level 7 training or other training programmes not eligible for CTA funding, from DHB or other sources of funding.

7. Is the Mental Health Directorate funded nursing training programmes included in the new CTA funding model for Postgraduate Nursing Training?

No. These training programmes are ring-fenced for Mental Health and are outside of the new CTA funding model for Postgraduate Nursing Training.

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Page last updated: 7 August 2008