Public Health Service Handbook 2003/04

The Public Health Directorate of the Ministry of Health (the Ministry) has revised service specifications for the Public Health Services Handbook (Handbook) these will be used until otherwise advised. A further review of the Handbook will be undertaken in the 2004/05 financial year to align with the current environment.


Background

The previous Handbook was developed by the Health Funding Authority (HFA) in collaboration with the Ministry as a resource to update and inform providers of the policies and practices of the HFA and the Ministry of Health, with a focus on funding public health services. The service specifications described, and specified, the goals, objectives and components of service that needed to be met to receive funding for public health services.

Following the merger of the HFA and the Ministry in 2001 and the need to update the funding expectations in relation to the Health Sector reforms, it was necessary to review and update this Handbook. This resource is designed to assist all public health providers and provide consistent and coherent strategies and information.


Handbook Contents

The handbook is in two parts. At this stage only the service specifications have been updated. It is intended that the front section which includes information around the principles and practices of funding public health services will be revised to align with the current environment.

There are currently 12 service specifications, as follows:

• Physical Environment
• Communicable Disease
• Social Environment
• Well Child
• Screening
• Prevention of Alcohol and other drug related harm
• Tobacco control
• Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Sexual Health
• Mental Health Promotion
• Injury Prevention
• Public Health Infrastructure

Problem Gambling (to follow)

The Ministry will assume responsibility for the funding and coordination of problem gambling services from 1 July 2004, however, funding for the three-year period will not be confirmed until August 2004. When the funding amount is confirmed, the service specifications will be included as an addition to the Handbook.

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Document availability

This document is not available in hard copy at this stage. It is only available on this website in Word and PDF format below.

Download the Public Health Service Handbook as a Word Document (997 kB) - Warning large file size

Download the Public Health Service Handbook as a PDF file (889 kB) - Warning large file size


Service Specifications

The Ministry purchases services in 12 service categories and the budget is allocated to these categories. (A thirteenth category, problem gambling, is currently being developed.) Service specifications have been developed for each category and relevant subcategories. Public Health providers are asked to prepare programme plans to address one or more service categories, based on the service specifications.

Providers will discuss with their Portfolio Manager how their planning documents might address community-based programmes that cover several categories.

The service specifications include:

health goal

• the overall health goal for the service category.

a rationale and key issues

• the key health issues at a national level and includes key issues which providers need to consider in their planning.

service objectives

• the framework of the services the Ministry funds for the particular service category. However this may not be relevant to all providers.

components of service

• the scope of services which may be provided across all providers for that service category. Some providers may specialise in only one or two components. Some regional providers will develop an integrated service plan that includes a balance of most of the components of service in their plan.

service descriptions/activities

• a menu of activities which a provider might plan to address the particular service component. One activity may address several components of service and a provider is not expected to carry out all activities. The list has not been designed to be prescriptive, but to give guidance on the types of activities that need to be included in the plan. Where service components are mandatory (e.g. for some regulatory services) this is noted in the specification.

references and supporting documents

• a list of references and other relevant documents which may assist in planning.

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Document availability

These publications are not available in hard copy at this stage. They are only available on this website in Word format below.

Introduction and Generic Regulatory Section (doc, 239 kB)

Go to information about ordering and downloading publications

Read our copyright information



Service Specifications

Physical Environment (Word, 316 kB)

Communicable Disease (Word, 309 kB)

Social Environment (Word, 227 kB)

Well Child (Word, 227 kB)

Screening (Word, 313 kB)

Prevention of Alcohol and other drug related harm (Word, 216 kB)

Tobacco control (Word, 209 kB)

Nutrition and Physical Activity (Word, 209 kB)

Sexual Health (Word, 205 kB)

Mental Health Promotion (Word, 226 kB)

Injury Prevention (Word, 203 kB)

Public Health Infrastructure (Word, 214 kB)

Go to information about ordering and downloading publications

Read our copyright information


For any further information please contact:
Jo Muschamp
Analyst
Public Health Directorate
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
Wellington
email Jo_Muschamp@moh.govt.nz

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Related information

Public Health

Communicable Disease

National Screening Unit


Tobacco control

Nutrition

Physical Activity

Sexual Health

Mental Health