National Public Health Compliance Audit ProtocolJune 2002
The Ministry of Health spends approximately $195 million annually contracting with providers to deliver Public Health Services. This money is drawn from taxpayers funds and it is important to ensure that contracted services are delivered in accordance with the contractual obligations of the providers.
Public Health audit sits within the overall context of the Ministry of Health and provider relationships however audit is not the main expression of those relationships, which are based on the Ministry of Health’s role as the funder of public health services delivered by providers.
Public Health compliance audit aims to:
- determine the conformity of services delivered with contractual requirements and as reported
- provide an opportunity for the provider and the Ministry of Health to review their dialogue on these matters and any associated policies and practices
- provide the auditee with an opportunity to improve their level of conformity with specified requirements
- comply with the audit objectives and principles of the Ministry of Health described in “Audit and Monitoring: Guidance for DHBs” (2001) meet regulatory requirements, under the New Zealand Public Health and
- Disability Act (2000) the Minister of Health has the power to monitor the performance of Crown Funding Agreements [section 10(2)(c)]. DHBs are also required under this Act to monitor the delivery and performance of services provided both by their own staff and any other persons engaged to provide or arrange service provision [section 23(1)(i) and section 25 (3)].
The purpose of this national protocol is to provide a basis for a consistent approach to the auditing of Ministry of Health funded service providers in terms of compliance with contractual requirements. The protocol was developed in consultation with the Public Health Operating Group of the Health Funding Authority (HFA), providers and relevant
professional organisations. In 2001, HFA public health funding functions were integrated into the Ministry of Health. Since then, this protocol has been updated to reflect the conditions of the Ministry of Health contracts and Crown Funding Agreements and the provisions of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.
The District Health Boards are now beginning to contract with providers to deliver some public health services. This is likely to increase over time. As that role increases, DHBs may consider it appropriate to use these public health compliance protocols.
Document availability
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Related information
Public Health Compliance Audit quickplace website
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Access to the website is limited to Public Health Compliance Auditors and members of the Public Health Directorate. Suggestions and comments regarding the website should be directed to Janet Gafford.
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