Health Funding Authority Final ReportDate of publication: October 2001
For the six-month period ended 31 December 2000
The decision to disestablish the single health funding body, the Health Funding Authority (HFA), and to establish 21 District Health Boards has occasioned a major change to the public health system in New Zealand. It is a change that presents an opportunity to further progress health and health and disability services in this country. As noted in the last Annual Report by the then Interim Chief Executive, Peter Hughes, this change is part of a broader strategy to secure the best health and independence for all New Zealanders while giving the opportunity for wider community involvement in the decisions affecting the provision of health and disability services.
This final report of the HFA signifies a major step in the public health sector change initiated by the Government following the 1999 General Election, and reported on in the 1999/2000 Annual Report. The HFA was formed by Order in Council on 1 January 1998 under the Health and Disability Services Act 1993 and was formally dissolved with the coming into force on 1 January 2001 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. This report complies with Section 105 of the Act.
During the six months leading up to disestablishment, major programmes that were initiated within the HFA continued to be consolidated, and closer links were forged with the Ministry of Health to ensure programmes and services would be maintained at the same level of quality from January 2001. Highlights during the period of this report included the following:
- Significant progress continued to be made to increase the participation of Maori at all levels of the health sector.
- The HFA worked with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs on a number of capacity-building plans,which sought to align community expectations and government activity in delivering publicly funded services to Pacific peoples around the country.
- Implementation of the Child Health Strategy via the Child Health Business Plan was further progressed with particular emphasis on immunisation, the health of Maori and Pacific children and those with high health and disability needs.
- Additional services were funded in Porirua and the Kapiti Coast, including diabetes and asthma health services.
- Mental Health targets for this period were exceeded with funding of additional services consistent with the principles of the Five-Year Mental Health Funding Plan.This included the national programme to address the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.
- Major initiatives that will allow the development of a purchase approach for people with autism were implemented. Information packs were also produced and these are popular with professionals and families alike.
- Progress continued to be made in consolidating BreastScreen Aoteoroa, the National Breast-Screening Programme, launched in December 1998.
- The HFA undertook a number of significant steps to investigate the Gisborne laboratory and reassure women nationwide of the integrity of the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP). In terms of the Gisborne laboratory, the HFA ensured the re-reading of the slides by an independent pathology laboratory and provided extensive support services,including counselling, 0800-information lines and financial support. In addition, detailed operational policies and quality standards for the National Cervical Screening Programme were published. A set of national monitoring indicators was finalised and the University of Otago was contracted to establish an independent monitoring group for the programme.
It is appropriate to acknowledge here the contribution of the work by the HFA Chairman, Syd Bradley, and the transitional Board during the final six months under report. I especially commend the Board who worked closely as a team to ensure the HFA maintained governance. Their dedication ensured the work of the organisation continued to maintain a strong direction.
The HFA maintained business as usual in concert with the transition measures contributing to the Government’s change programme. This commitment ensured that the community could continue to have confidence in the new arrangements and that delivery of health services and health outcomes would continue through the transition period.
I acknowledge the many staff who continued to work diligently throughout the period. It is to their credit that not only were services maintained, but the process of transfer of responsibilities and functions to the Ministry of Health and the District Health Boards was achieved in an efficient and seamless manner. This, to me, is an example of the professional commitment of a dedicated and talented work force led by the Interim Chief Executive,Peter Hughes,who demonstrated outstanding leadership in steering the HFA through the transition.
Finally, I want to acknowledge the support of the Minister of Health and her Associate Ministers to the HFA and its staff during the final stages of the transition.
Karen O Poutasi (Dr)
Director-General of Health
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