Primary Health Care

Implementation Work Programme 2006 - 2010: Primary Workings - Issue 2, December 2006

Welcome to the second issue of Primary Workings on how we’re making real the Primary Health Care Strategy (PHCS). This is the regular newsletter for the PHCS Implementation Work Programme, which will keep you up to date with progress and information.

In this issue…

What’s been happening?
Supporting Change
Project Profile: The Capabilities Project
Project Profile: Key Directions for the Information Environment
PHCS Implementation Work Programme Project Outline for December 2006

What’s been happening?

A lot of work has been happening since our last newsletter in October (details are in the attached table).

The PHO Funding Formulae Review has produced a number of options for the Minister to consider and has resulted in positive feedback on the process. The Expert Advisory Group, which includes members with a diverse range of experience in primary care, has commended the Ministry for “the positive, transparent and collaborative process of this Funding Formula Review.”

The 2007 subsidy roll out for 25-44 year olds is on track for 1 July, the Capabilities team have set up a draft framework ready for comment, and the governance workshop in November identified the key PHO governance topics to work on for 2007.

The Key Directions team has identified some interesting key messages from the regional workshops and we look forward to the results from the Workforce survey in the New Year. Finally, the sector gave us a good heads up at the Connecting Voices change management workshop in November and we are seeking feedback on the key themes - improved access to quality information, strengthened DHB/PHO relationships, horizontal sector learning, strong PHOs, and guidance on areas such as population health (go to www.moh.govt.nz/primaryhealthcare from January 5).

There are still a couple of projects in their infancy (eg the service delivery models work) and they will gain speed early next year (see the details in the attached table).

Supporting Change

A workshop with sector leaders was held in late November to help gain a broad understanding of the changes and change processes required to support and achieve the goals of the Primary Health Care Strategy.

We are seeking feedback on the key themes that emerged from the day and will develop that work in 2007. A summary from the day will be available on the programme website by January 5.

Project Profile: The Capabilities Project

The Capabilities project (originally known as the “High Performing PHOs” project) is a key part of the Service Development workstream. The project’s objectives are to further outline, for all stakeholders in primary health care, the core capabilities of a PHO that is effectively delivering on the Primary Health Care Strategy.

This ranges from the minimum requirements in each capability to the characteristics of PHOs that are excelling. For example, developing a clear outline of what community engagement for a PHO looks like at the most basic level through to the advanced level.

This work will help to give a shared understanding or “vision” about where we are heading and build on the successes of the sector in implementing the PHCS.

An initial draft Capabilities framework, developed in conjunction with a sector working group, currently includes 16 core capabilities. We are seeking feedback on this framework through regional meetings (between DHBs and their PHOs) in February and early March 2007. Details will be coming out to DHBs and PHOs in early January.

PHO Governance has been identified as a priority capability to focus on and work has started on this area with a workshop in November and further work and engagement is being planned for 2007.

Project Profile: Key Directions for the Information Environment

The Key Directions for the Information Environment Project (aka Key Directions) is seeking to define the information environment (people, process, and technology) required to support the implementation of the Primary Health Care Strategy.

The Key Directions Project is one component of development work across a wide range of health information environment activity. It is working closely with other major initiatives such as the National Systems Development Programme and the Health Information Strategy for New Zealand (HIS-NZ) implementation www.hisac.govt.nz.

The Key Directions Project is well underway with the formation of the sector advisory group, completion of the first set of nation-wide workshops, and stakeholder interviews. Over 40 case studies from across the Primary Health Care Sector have been received which identify current examples of the innovative use of information within Primary Health Care. In addition, Chai Chuah (CEO Hutt Valley DHB) has recently joined the project as DHB sponsor bringing strong links to the DHB Information Group and HISAC.

Three significant themes have emerged from the sector engagement to date:

The desire to have people at the heart of how the information environment is designed, rather than the design having the provider as the core.
There is recognition of the importance of an integrated information environment (ability to share data and information across boundaries to support decision making) that is wider than general practice and pharmacy.
The desire to use the information environment to help facilitate change in how care is delivered.

Phase II of the project (the development of a Key Directions Strategy document and roadmap) has commenced with a further round of nation-wide sector consultation planned for March/April 2007. The final Key Directions Strategy Document and Roadmap is due for publication in May 2007.

PHCS Implementation Work Programme Project Outline for December 2006

Download the PHCS Implementation Work Programme Project Outline for December 2006 (.XLS, 28kB)

Page last updated: March 2007