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Representing sector views

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Influencing change

Representing the views of the health and disability NGO sector

Since 2002, the NGO Council has worked on behalf of the health and disability NGO sector to represent common issues and experiences to those who have the power to make changes for the better.

This activity takes a number of forms, as shown below.
(The list is not exhaustive, and involvement is often linked to project work or papers published by the Working Group and available in priorities and projects)

NGO Network representation

Members of the NGO Council represent the views of the wider health and disability NGO Sector to a number of one-off and ongoing groups and bodies.
These have included:

Sept 2016: The NGO Council making a submission on the draft Health of Older People Strategy.

July 2016: The NGO Council publishing tw o papers on service commissioning models and principles.

Dec 2015: Providing input via a discussion with Keriana Brooking (Chief Advisor – Service Improvement & Change) and a formal submission on the review of the NZ Health Strategy.

Dec 2014: Submission to the Productivity Commission

The NGO Council’s submission (Sub 070) in response to the inquiry into More Effective Social Services was one of more than 130 papers submitted to inform this work.

See all submissions at www.productivity.govt.nz/view/submissions/2032

Nov 2014: The NGO Council collated feedback on draft guidelines for developing Child Protection Policies and conducting Worker Safety Checks and delivered this to the Ministry of Health.

Nov 2014: The NGO Council encouraged sector submissions to Treasury on ways social investment can improve results for vulnerable children and to the Children’s Action Plan Directorate on approved information sharing.

April 2014: NGO Council gave support to the joint submission developed by DPA and CCS Disability Action on Building (Earthquake-prone Buildings) Amendment Bill and encouraged other NGO submissions.

March/April 2014: The National Forum and Chair’s Update encouraged submissions on Public Health Tier 2 and 3 service specifications.

Feb 2014: NGO Council made a submission on the proposed National Drug Policy and encouraged other NGO submissions.

Oct 2013: NGO Council collates feedback on workforce safety checks while encouraging non-profit sector to make submissions on Vulnerable Children Bill.

Sept 2013: NGO Council Chair, Kathryn Jones met with the National Health IT Board to discuss how NGOs can better engage with the IT Board’s priority work programmes

NGO feedback on National IT programme (pdf, 452KB)

July 2013: NGO Council Chair, Kathryn Jones participated in the Canterbury Health System Workforce Planning Establishment meeting organised by CERA and the Canterbury DHB

Canterbury survey results on NGO workforce needs

Oct/Nov 2012: Following the series of pre-consultation engagement workshops on the Tier 1 Public Health Service Specifications, the NGO Council’s two Public Health representatives (Judi Clements and Joyce-Anne Raihania) were nominated for a Ministry Advisory Group, which provided feedback on the revised specifications prior to formal consultation

July-Sept 2012: The NGO Secretariat collated NGO feedback on proposed contract templates/header agreements for the Ministry’s Legal team. The drafts created some concerns for the sector and the NGO Council called for more NGO involvement in discussions during the next phase of any development

Aug 2011: Health Workforce NZ ‘Planning the Future Health Workforce’ forum – Jackie Edmond, Rob Warriner, Donna Matahaere-Atariki

Feb 2010: National Health Agreement meeting – Jackie Edmond

2010: DHBNZ Future Workforce Group – Kath Fox

Nov 2009: Community & Voluntary Sector National Forum convened by OCVS to begin discussion about developing a relationship agreement – Carole Maraku and Jane Poa

2009: Primary Health Quality meeting initiated by the College of GPs – Jackie Edmond

2008-09: Primary Health Care Advisory Council (PHCAC) – Jackie Edmond

2008-09: Ministry of Health emergency management related HR Toolkit – Karen Covell

2008-09: Health and Disability Standards – Joanne Hayes

Aug 2008: Primary Health Care workshop with David Colin-Thorne – Kath Fox and Carole Ingley-Maraku

2008: HISAC (Health Information Strategy Advisory Committee) – Jo Fitzpatrick (representing consumers)

Apr 2007: Multiple Audits in the Health Sector Workshop – Jacki Richardson (Spectrum Care)

March 2007: Community Sector Taskforce Forum – Jo Fitzpatrick and Joanne Hayes

Feb 2007: The Harder and Faster Workshop – an initiative of the new Director-General of Health, Stephen McKernan, comprised principally of the Ministry’s Executive Team and key sector players – Jo Fitzpatrick and Marion Blake

2006-2010: National Services Framework project: Mental Health and Addictions Sector – Carole Maraku and Kath Fox

2006-09: DHBNZ Future Workforce Group – Kath Fox

2006-07: Ministry of Health Training for new Policy Analysts to raise NGO sector visibility within the Ministry – various representatives

2006-07: Health and Disability Standards Committee consultation

2006-07: ANGOA meetings – various representatives

2006-07: Ministry of Social Development’s Building Capacity in the Community and Voluntary Sector group

2006-07: Health Workforce Information System (HWIS)

2006-07: Consultation on Nurse Prescribing

2006-07: Tertiary Education Commission’s three-year investment plan for workforce development

2006-07: Overcoming Barriers to Workforce Innovation group

Oct 2006: PHONZ Annual Conference – Working Group chair presented

2006: DHBNZ Workforce conference: Members of the Working Group hosted a breakfast for NGOs attending

2005-07: Primary Healthcare Strategy and Taskforce – A member of the working group was seconded to work with the taskforce as they have engaged with communities across New Zealand. A Taskforce report: ‘Best fit for Non-Government organisations in Primary Health Care’ was released in October 2006 – Joanne Hayes

Nov 2005: Community Sector Taskforce NGO sector national hui

2005: Advisory Group on Community and Voluntary Sector Capability

2005: NGO media project (ComVoices) and the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in Aotearoa (ANGOA)

2004-05: Public Health Forum consultation

2003-07: NZ Health Information Strategy Taskforce consultation

2003-05: PHO Development Taskforce – Liz McElhinney

2003-04: Discussions on contractual complexities of advocacy/lobbying activities in MoH contracts

2003-04: The development of the Charities Commission legislation

2003-04: The review of Treasury’s Contracting Guidelines

Sharing influence

The NGO Council plays a role in ensuring appropriate representation on other groups and bodies, by those from the health and disability NGO sector with suitable skills and knowledge.

Examples where the NGO Council has helped identify suitable representation include:

Dec 2013: In response to a request from Chai Chuah, the NGO Council recommended two NGO secondees for the Children’s Action Plan directorate based in the Ministry of Social Development. One subsequent secondment proceeded in 2014.

Sept 2013: Two NGO Council members and other NGO stakeholders attended Health Workforce NZ’s Vulnerable Children Bill NGO/DSS Sector Engagement Meeting and relevant NGO names were provided to organisers for a Children’s Action Plan meeting in January 2014.

Apr 2013: The NGO Council made suggestions to the Chief Medical Officer for engagement on the possible review of the Health & Disability Services Standards

2008-10: Primary Care Information Management Reference Group – Helen MacKenzie (NZ Family Planning Assn)

2008-09: Advisory Committee on workforce to support Clinical Workforce – Brenda Hynes (Royal NZ Plunket Society)

2008: HISAC (Health Information Strategy Advisory Committee) – Chris Hendry (Midwifery and Maternity Providers Organisation)

2008: The Long Term Strategic Framework working group (put on hold pending the Ministerial Review Group report)

2004-09: Health & Disability Safer Industry Forum – Ros Murrell (PACT)

Health and disability NGO sector involvement

NGO Council members also participate in one-off and ongoing groups and bodies as representatives of their own organisations or sector, but are able to bring the wider perspective of the NGO Council to their roles.

These involvements include:

Aug 2011: Signing ceremony for the Kia Tutahi Relationship Accord between the Communities of Aotearoa and the Government of NZ – Joyce-Anne Raihania (IPNANZ)

2011: Canterbury earthquake NGO meetings convened by Ministry of Social Development – Jackie Edmond (NZ Family Planning Assn)

2011: Careerforce Board disability director – Chris Harris (Spectrum Care)

2011: Hutt Valley Local Leadership Advisory Group – Angela Crawford (Q-Nique)

2011: NGOus Group - mental health providers group – Angela Crawford (Q-Nique)

2010– current: Southland Mortality review committee – Barb Long (Royal NZ Plunket Society)

2010-11: Family & Community Services National Advisory Council (Ngai Tahu Representative) – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010-11: Southern PHO board member (Ngai Tahu Representative) – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010-11: Southern PHO Clinical Governance Group (Ngai Tahu Representative) – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010-11: He Waka Kotuia o Araiteuru Whanau Ora Collective – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010-11: He Oranga Pounamu – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010-11: Ministry of Social Development National Maori Strategy Group (Ngai Tahu Representative) – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010-11: PRIMHD Project Steering Group for the Central Region District Health Boards – Angela Crawford (Q-Nique)

2010-11: National Residential Intellectual Disability Providers Group – Chris Harris (Spectrum Care)

2010-11: Auckland Disability Providers Network committee – Chris Harris (Spectrum Care)

2010-11: Evolve youth health trust board member – Jackie Edmond (NZ Family Planning Assn)

Sept 2010-11: Mental Health Commission Advisory Group – Rob Warriner (Walsh Trust)

2010-11: Platform Inc. board member – Rob Warriner (Walsh Trust)

2010-11: Waitemata DHB Provider Executive Group Co-Chair – Rob Warriner (Walsh Trust)

2010-11: PRIMHD (Programme for the Integration of Mental Health Data) – Rob Warriner (Walsh Trust)

2010-11: Maori Kaunihera O Neehi O Aotearoa National Council of Maori Nurses – Sandy Taylor (Nga Tai O Te Awa Trust)

2010: National Taskforce for Family Violence (NGO Representative) – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Arai Te Uru Whare Hauora)

2010: He Oranga Pounamu acting Chair – Donna Matahaere-Atariki (Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu appointee)

2010: Mental Health Advisory Coalition (MHAC) – Rob Warriner (Walsh Trust)

2009-10: Otago DHB Community Public Health and Advisory Committee (CPHAC) until disestablished – Barb Long (Royal NZ Plunket Society)

2008–current: Otago Mortality Review Committee – Barb Long (Royal NZ Plunket Society)

2008-09: Health and Disability Standards – Carole Ingley-Maraku (Te Upoko Te Upoko O Nga Oranga O Te Rae).

Focused attention

Members of the NGO Council meet with a range of different health and NGO leaders and influencers to share the insights and issues of the wider health and disability NGO sector. These have included:

Sept 2016: Discussing engagement with the sector with Catherine Delore (GM Communications, MoH)

Sept 2016: Meeting Ed Montague from the Social Investment Unit to talk about the government’s social investment approach.

June-Sept 2016: Discussing proposed MoH service commissioning transformation changes with Jill Lane (Director – Service Commissioning) and Keriana Brooking (Chief Advisor – Service Improvement and Change)

June 2016: Discussing the new ELT structure and how business units such as Finance and IT will help meet the strategic direction of the NZ Health Strategy and MoH with Keriana Brooking (Chief Advisor – Service Improvement and Change) and Jill Bond (Executive Director, Office of the Director General).

April 2016: Discussing consultation on Health of Older People Strategy with Jim Nicholson (Manager Health of Older People) and John Roy (Policy Analyst, Populations Policy)

April 2016: discussing  Ministry on the Move changes and the way forward for the new NZ Health Strategy with Chai Chuah (Director-General), Hamiora Bowkett (Acting Chief Strategy & Policy Officer) and Jill Lane (National Services Purchasing Director).

Oct 2015: Sharing responses to the findings in the NZ Productivity Commission’s report with Therese Egan (Acting Group Manager Strategy, Policy) and Laura Miller (Policy).

Oct 2015: Discussing the Ministry’s contracting and commissioning of services with Cathy O’Malley (Deputy Director-General Sector Capability & Implementation) and Clayton Cleary (Manager, Procurement and Contracts)

Aug 2015: Discussing the Social Bonds trial with Kathryn Karantze-Young and Lea Patrick of MoH.

Nov 2014: Grant Pollard, Group Manager, Public Health, Ministry of Health spoke with the NGO Council about the new Healthy Families programme and received robust feedback from Council members.

Nov 2014: Prior to making a formal submission on More Effective Social Services, the NGO Council met with James Soligo, Principal Advisor and Geoff Lewis, Inquiry Director from the Productivity Commission.

Oct 2014: Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health (doc, 1.28 MB)
The NGO Council’s briefing paper to the new Health Minister highlighted the following key messages:

  • EQUITY – We must create equity across the whole health system by aligning incentives for government and NGO providers through greater consistency of Crown funding models and fairer approaches to pricing and contracting.
  • DHB INTERACTION – The health spend could be used more effectively through active partnership with the NGO sector and improvements to the way the DHB system operates, as it currently creates unnecessary duplication and a ‘postcode lottery’ of services.
  • LONG TERM FOCUS – A collaborative, investment approach to the health and well-being of our nation will result in cost savings and better health outcomes.
  • COLLECTIVE IMPACT – Take advantage of the NGO collective impact across all aspects of the health system by ensuring NGOs are engaged at all levels of policy development, planning, service delivery and decision-making.

Oct 2014: NGO Council met with Graeme Osborne, Director, National Health IT Board, Ministry of Health to discuss IT challenges of the NGO sector.

Oct 2014: NGO Council discussed proposed Vulnerable Children consultations with Tony O’Rourke from the Employment Relations team, Ministry of Health.

Aug 2014: Ruth Anderson (Group Manager, Health Workforce NZ) met with the NGO Council to discuss HWNZ’s expanded mandate to oversee planning for the whole health workforce, including allied health and care and support workers.

Aug 2014: Daria Martin (Programme Manager, Careerforce) and Tania Hayes (Project Co-ordinator, Careerforce) met with the NGO Council to talk about the Kaiawhina Action Plan (previously referred to as the unregulated or non-regulated workforce), which includes many care and support workers across the community health sector. NGO Council members shared their thoughts on this, including concerns about the name.

Aug 2014: Adrienne Percy (Programme Manager, MoH) met with the NGO Council again to provide an update on the Streamlined Contract project and listen to ideas.

June 2014: Matthew Bloomer (Policy Analyst, Strategic Priorities, Strategy, Policy, MoH) and Sara McFall (Principal Policy Analyst, Sector & Services Policy/Sector and Services Transformation Policy Team, Policy, MoH) sought feedback from the NGO Council on high level strategic issues to help influence future planning and decision-making

June 2014: Ruth Heather (National Programme Manager, Children's Action Plan, Community Health Service Improvement, Sector Capability & Implementation, MoH) and Gary Tonkin (National Programme Manager, Sector Capability & Implementation, Community Health Service Improvement/Child & Family Programmes, MoH) discussed with the Council ways NGOs can support the work of regional Children’s Teams

April 2014: Mike McCarthy (MoH Chief Financial Officer) met with the Council to discuss contracting and procurement improvements taking place across government.

Nov 2013: NGO Council Chair met with Andrew Terris of Patients First.

Oct/Nov 2013: Adrienne Percy (Programme Manager, MoH) met with the Council to talk about the Streamlined Contract project and explore challenges.

Oct 2013: Phillipa Gaines (Platform Trust) previewed the NZ Navigator online self-assessment tool for the NGO Council, which subsequently allocated project funds to Phase 2 development.

Oct 2013: The NGO Council wrote to the Minister of Health highlighting the value of NGO knowledge and experience in DHB appointments and provided Network members with information about the appointment and election processes for representation on District Health Boards and other statutory bodies, as this is an area Council believes would benefit from stronger NGO input.

Sept 2013: Council Chair met with Stephanie Fletcher of the NHITB Consumer Panel.

Aug 2013: Chai Chuah and Yvonne Broughton (Chief Advisor Employment Relations, DHB Performance) met with the Council to discuss proposed vulnerable children workforce safety checks.

Aug 2013: The Council Chair met with the Disability CEO Forum in Wellington to talk about proposed projects – attendees also discussed regional/national body differences (e.g. national NGOs seem to find it easier to get Board members).

July 2013: Some NGO Council members participated in discussions with Gareth Jones (Project Manager, Procurement Optimisation Programme) prior to his recommendations being presented to the Ministry of Health.

July 2013: National Health Board, National Director Chai Chuah and the Council discussed government and Ministry priorities via videoconference to inform the Council’s planning.

Apr 2013: As part of the strategic planning process, new Chair Kathryn Jones met with ANGOA/Platform, the Home Health Association and the NZ Federation of Vocational & Support Services (VASS) to inform them of the Council’s work and discuss future relationships/co-operation.

Apr 2013: The NGO Council met with Richard Morris, Chief Financial Officer, Ministry of Health to discuss funding and contracting issues.

Oct 2012: Outgoing Chair, Jackie Edmond met with the Central region DHBs funding and planning managers’ group to explore opportunities for collaboration.

Sept/Dec 2012: The NGO Council met with Sarah Holden, Group Manager Sector and Services Policy at the Ministry of Health to offer ideas on the potential development of a social bonds funding approach.

Sept 2012: NGO Chair, Jackie Edmond met with Jane Cartwright of Partnership Health Canterbury, the CE (Ian McAra) of Southern PHO (accompanied by Council members Barb Long and Donna Matahaere-Atariki), and with the South Island DHBs funding and planning managers’ group to discuss common issues.

Jul 2012: The NGO Council met with the Ministry of Health’s new Deputy Director-General Policy, Don Gray to discuss NGO input to policy development.

May 2012: NGO Chair, Jackie Edmond and mental health rep, Rob Warriner met with the Midland region DHB General Managers of Planning and Funding in Hamilton. A very constructive exchange of ideas was made and this prompted the Council to prioritise more such meetings with other DHBs and PHOs in the future.

Feb 2012: Sent printed copies of the How NGOs make a difference to health care in the community report to Chief Executives, CFOs and funding and planning teams in 20 DHBs and to the Chief Executives of 32 PHOs. Copies also sent to key Ministry of Health managers, the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector and the Social Services Forum convenor at the Ministry of Social Development.

Feb 2012: Chair of Working Group interviewed as part of the State Services performance review process for the Ministry of Health - took opportunity to raise such long-standing issues as multiple audits, contract reporting and compliance burdens and other issues from the primary care report.

Jan 2012: Wrote to Director-General of Health, Kevin Woods to mark 10th anniversary of endorsement of the Framework for Relations between the Ministry of Health and Health/Disability Non-Government Organisations and to identify key areas requiring action in 2012.

Jan 2012: Met with Margie Apa (out-going Deputy Director-General Sector Capability and Implementation) to discuss findings from the primary health report How NGOs Make a Difference to Health Care in the Community.

Dec 2011: Wrote to the Minister of Health (Hon Tony Ryall) and the three Associate Ministers (Dunne, Turia and Goodhew) congratulating them on their appointments and drawing their attention to the vital role of the non-profit health and disability sector. (Replies received from Associate Ministers Goodhew, Turia and Dunne.)

Dec 2011: Jill Lane, General Manager, National Services Purchasing, National Health Board attended her first Working Group meeting.

Oct 2011: Janice Wilson from the Health Quality and Safety Commission met with the Working Group to provide an update on the work of the Commission.

Aug 2011: The Working Group met with Chai Chua (National Director) of the National Health Board to discuss opportunities for greater NGO engagement in the NHB work programme and to revisit the issue of multiple audits (including current work in the disability and older people fields).

Aug 2011: Brenda Wraight (Director) and Prof. Des Gorman (Executive Chair) from Health Workforce NZ met with the Working Group to provide an update on the HWNZ work programme, their plans relating to the unregulated workforce , and to discuss how the NGO sector (and the Working Group in particular) can be more involved in Health Workforce NZ work.

June 2011: The Working Group met with the Ministry of Health’s Deputy Director-General Sector Capability & Implementation, Margie Apa and her team member Nemu Lallu to discuss the ongoing amalgamation of PHOs, Better Sooner More Convenient changes and the implications for non-profit primary health care providers.

Oct 2010: Rose Wall, Manager Provider Regulation, Health Cert Team in the Ministry of Health attended an NGO Council meeting to speak about a project to improve the auditing and certification process for the Residential Disability sector.

June 2010: Chair and several Working Group representatives met with Murray Horn, chair of the Ministerial Review Group that produced the Meeting the Challenge (The Horn Report), and Chai Chauh, National Director, National Health Board Business Unit, Ministry of Health to discuss devolution and multiple audits.

April 2010: Chai Chuah, National Director, National Health Board Business Unit, Ministry of Health attended the Working Group’s meeting to provide an update on the National Health Board.

Feb 2010: Julian Inch, Chief Executive, District Health Board NZ (DHBNZ) met with the Working Group again to discuss the Working Group document NGO Goals and Moving Forward: Strategic Priorities 2009-2014.

Dec 2009: Julian Inch, Chief Executive, District Health Board NZ (DHBNZ) attended the NGO Council meeting to discuss the ongoing relationship (this was one of several meetings with Julian over the years).

Dec 2009: Geraldine Woods, Deputy Director General, Health and Disability National Services Directorate, National Health Board Business Unit, Ministry of Health met with the Working Group to provide an overview of the National Health Board Business Unit and talk through the role of health and disability NGOs.

Sept 2009: The Working Group invited Hugh Lawrence for the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector (OCVS) to their meeting to discuss the development of a relationship agreement between Government and the NGO sector.

Sept 2009: The Working Group submitted feedback to the Health Minister, the Hon. Tony Ryall on Meeting the Challenge: The report of the Ministerial Review Group (the Horn Report).

May 2009: Working Group members Jo Fitzpatrick and Carole Maraku met with FOND (Friends of the NGO sector) – a Ministry of Health NGO cross-directorate interest group for Ministry staff interested in issues relevant to the NGO sector.

2009: The Working Group discussed possible appointments to various workforce strategy groups with high NGO involvement in the workforce, with Marilyn Rimmer, Project Manager of the DHBNZ Future Workforce group.

April 2008: Working group representatives (Jo Fitzpatrick, Kath Fox, Chris Inglis and Jackie Edmond) met with the Minister of Health, the Hon David Cunliffe.

Oct-Dec 2007: Working Group members conducted a series of individual and collective meetings with Deputy Directors-General as they were appointed. They included Margie Apa (Sector Capability and Innovations Directorate); Janice Wilson (Population Health Directorate); Geraldine Woods (Health and Disability National Services Directorate).

Aug 2007: Working Group representatives met with Steven McKernan, Director-General of Health.

March 2007: Pandemic planning meeting with John Boyd, MoH focussed on NGO sector involvement in Operation Cruickshank.

Feb 2007: Meeting with Iris Pahau and Rees Fox from Community Sector Taskforce.

Sept 2006: Working Group met with PHONZ transitional Chair, Sue Ineson to discuss the relationship between NGOs and PHOs. A liaison person subsequently appointed to work with NGO Group.

Aug 2006: Working Group representatives met with Steven McKernan, the new Ministry of Health Director-General.

Aug 2006: Working Group met with Julian Inch of DHBNZ to discuss ways to work more inclusively with community organisations to progress population health objectives.

2006: The Working Group met with the Ministry of Health’s Contract Advisory Group to negotiate for the inclusion of an NGO perspective in MoH contract training.

2006: Meeting with the Ministry of Health Workforce Champions Group to discuss the ‘Health and Disability Sector NGO Workforce Report’ – Marion Blake and Kirsty Peel.

March 2005: A further meeting with Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi and senior Ministry staff to discuss sector issues.

Late 2004: Working Group members met with Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi and senior Ministry staff to discuss sector issues.

Early 2004: The Working Group met with the Labour MPs Health Caucus to inform them of issues facing health and disability NGOs, and express concern about the impact of PHO strategy on Maori NGOs.

2003-04: Meetings with Ministry of Health personnel: John Marwick (PHOs), David Chrisp (DSS devolution), Gill Grew and Gina Lomax (Audit), Gillian Bohm and David Press (quality strategy).

2003-04: Input to the Ministry’s NGO web page developed to encourage better NGO/Ministry communication.

Seeking a voice

The NGO Council does not always wait to be invited to participate – it actively advocates for NGO representation on appropriate groups. Examples of submissions for NGO representation include:

Jul 2013: NGO Council Chair actively encouraged those with NGO knowledge and experience to stand as candidates for their local DHB elections or put their names forward for possible ministerial appointment. The wider sector was encouraged to support such candidates in local elections.

Feb 2012: Requests to meet with the DHB Chairs’ Forum, DHB CEs’ Forum and the PHO Alliance sent with summary of How NGOs make a difference to health care in the community.

Jan 2012: The NGO Council wrote to the Director-General of Health to highlight a growing need for an NGO voice on the National IT Board and Health Workforce NZ Board to complement the views of hospital clinicians and GPs. The Council identified the absence of NGO input to policy setting and strategic planning at the senior governance level as a barrier to whole-of-sector thinking and successful implementation of more community-based services.

Jan 2012: Made a submission on HWNZ’s draft Workforce Strategy expressing concern about the process and short timeframes for submissions, and the lack of NGO views or issues in the document.

2008: HISAC (Health Information Strategy Advisory Committee) – successful
.
2005: Expressed concerns that NGOs, or the Working Group as their representative, are frequently largely invisible when public statements are made or policy documents launched, such as the Ministry’s launch of the 5th report on the NZ Health Strategy and the Mental Health Metro Auckland Public Health Stakeholders’ meeting, the launch of Tauawhitia te Wero, (Embracing the Challenge: National Mental Health Addiction Workforce Development Plan 2006-2009) and other workforce planning activities.

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Page last updated: 11 March 2019