29 primary health practices in the Green Cross Health network are set to shift from their current primary health organisation (PHO) to the National Hauora Coalition (NHC), following approval from Te Whatu Ora in a ruling on February 1.
The partnership with Green Cross Health strengthens NHC’s position as a primary health organisation in the sector, and according to NHC Chief Executive Dr. Rachel Brown (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga ki Wharekauri, Kāi Tahu, Tuahiwi and Kāti Māmoe), NHC is “excited to awhi the new clinics into our network.”
“We pride ourselves on supporting a wide range of providers to serve their communities and our priority populations, and believe this opportunity will enable us to scale our programmes and support whānau right across the motu,” she adds.
The approved 29 clinics, situated in the health districts of Northland, Waitematā, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waikato and Whanganui, have around 185,000 enrolled patients. NHC is the largest Māori-led PHO in Aotearoa and the only PHO already operating clinics in three of the four Te Whatu Ora regions – Northern, Te Manawa Taki, and Central – in which the 29 practices are located.
The NHC network is a mix of Māori, Pacific, community-owned, corporate and traditional general practices offering a range of services to provide a pro-equity, whānau-centred approach to patient hauora.
“Working in new areas gives us further reach into Māori communities and further opportunities to work with local Māori providers,” says NHC Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Murray. “The NHC is excited to expand its relationship with Green Cross and explore other areas like pharmacy, as well as links with other Māori health providers.”
For Green Cross Health, the move sees a streamlining of the company’s medical services and a better alignment to the new national health system changes after the 20 former District Health Boards (DHBs) transitioned into four regional divisions.
Wayne Woolrich, General Manager of the Green Cross Health medical division, says the shift of the practices to NHC will help Green Cross “to improve health targets, access and equity, and drive innovation”.
The shift of the approved clinics, set to be implemented by July 1, will boost the NHC’s total number of practices across Te Ika-a-Māui (the North Island) to more than 79. During the change, any additional efforts for practices will be kept to a minimum to ensure a continuity of services and equitable care for communities.
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About National Hauora Coalition
National Hauora Coalition is a Māori-led charity and PHO committed to improving health and social outcomes for all New Zealanders, with a particular focus on Māori, Pacific, new-migrant and other high-needs populations.
For more information visit nhc.maori.nz.
Press Contact
For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact NHC PR consultant Skye Ross:
skye@skyeross.co.nz
021761147
