Doing better for New Zealandersbetter health, better participation, reduced inequalities
Date of publication: August 2002
The goal of the health and disability sector is Healthy New Zealanders and our efforts are directed to ensuring that the system works to achieve this goal. The Minister, the Ministry, District Health Boards (DHBs), health and disability non-governmental organisations (NGOs), health practitioners, support workers, other sector employees and organisations all want New Zealanders to experience:
- improved participation in communities by people with disabilities
- reduced health inequalities among population groups.
The health portfolio is large and diverse. While posing significant challenges, it also offers significant opportunities. It is centred on the people who need health and disability support services, and contains staff and organisations that are committed to delivering these services. Achieving good outcomes, however, means actively balancing sometimes conflicting objectives and agendas.
Good health and the ability to participate fully in society are central to the wellbeing of individuals, whänau, family and communities. The health and disability sector contributes to wellbeing through the provision of quality, safe services funded from the health budget. Services are delivered in the areas of public health, mental health, personal health and disability support. They are delivered to all population groups and ages, and in all settings - from people's homes to hospitals, and by people with little advanced learning to those with highly specialised knowledge.
On an average day in New Zealand:
- 105,000 prescriptions are filled
- 40,000 laboratory tests are analysed
- 4000 outpatients visit hospital for care
- 432 people have elective surgery
- 1960 people are seen in emergency departments
- 1167 people are admitted to hospital
- 50,000 people take one of the new antidepressants
- 637 children are immunised
- 50,000 people visit a general practitioner
- people with disabilities will make 115 applications for environmental support services. 1
The Ministry considers that there are good opportunities over the next three years to improve the functioning of the system and to enhance health gain and participation in communities in the following areas:
1 better outcomes - Healthy New Zealanders
2 making the right decisions at the right level
3 developing the workforce
4 getting the best out of information.
Making advances in these areas while the sector continues to evolve is both a challenge and a timely opportunity. As Minister you have a key role in leading the system to do better for New Zealanders through the following actions:
- focusing on reducing inequalities between different groups to improve overall health
- focusing on co-operative working between agencies and strengthening relationships
- enabling people to be part of local primary health care services that improve their health, are easy to get to, and co-ordinate their ongoing care
- implementing changes in legislation and education that develop the workforce
- encouraging innovative approaches to doing better across the health and disability system.
This briefing takes stock of the changes to the system since the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act (NZPHD Act) was passed in December 2000. It then describes the four areas - and the specific actions - where we can build on the foundations that are in place and do better.
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