Board of Directors
From Left to Right : Janine Kaipo, Gwen Tepania-Palmer, Ken Orr, Dr Andrew Miller, Dr Ron Abraham (Chairman), Liz Nelson, Shirleyanne Brown, Dr Paula Mathieson
MANAIA HEALTH PHO CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2009
by Doctor Ron Abraham
It is my pleasure to present my report for the year ending 30 June 2009.
Manaia PHO has finished its sixth year having faced and met the ongoing challenges in primary health care. I believe that the organisation has taken on board the philosophy and ideals of the government’s primary health care strategy and is making a difference in the delivery of primary health care in our community. We have established ourselves as a leader in the healthcare sector.
Leadership comes through partnership. I would like to acknowledge the ongoing partnership and support of our two shareholders Terenga Paraoa and Whangarei Healthcare. I would also like to acknowledge the Northland DHB who has supported the PHO and collaborated with us on so many issues. I would also like to acknowledge the five other Northland PHOs who demonstrate that we can have a unified vision for Northland. It is one of the challenges for the future to consolidate the relationship between the DHB and the PHOs to maintain this unified vision.
Manaia continues to do well with its focus on Health Promotion and Community Health, funded by SIA funding. Our SIA funding is now fully committed for the future and has provided extra services across a wide range of the community. I would also like to acknowledge the importance of the Outreach Immunisation programme, the Diabetes Nurse Specialist and the Primary Care Dietitian. The Primary Mental Health programme has had its contract extended but remains an underfunded and oversubscribed facet of our healthcare. It has demonstrated the huge need for mental health support in the community. The B4 School Check programme was started in October and has been co-ordinated by Manaia.
With the management of a wide range of services Manaia found itself working from three separate sites so undertook to find new premises. We were able to acquire the previous Radio Northland building in Rust Avenue. It is now a focus for primary care and health education for Manaia and Northland. It is also used by a wide group of community organisations.
We have worked well with our key stakeholders. The general practice workforce is under continuing pressure and both the General Practitioners (GPs) and the Practice Nurses have had ongoing support with education and IT support. The arrival of the Novel A ( H1N1) flu into our community heralded a potential public health disaster. Manaia took over the responsibility as emergency response co-ordinator and liased with the practices, the DHB and Ministry requirements. This allowed the situation to be dealt with calmly and with minimal disruption.
The Te Tai Tokerau Maori Health Plan 2008-2013 was signed off for Northland in Waitangi and has been incorporated into Manaia’s business strategy. Building the relationships with our Maori Health partners to improve the health of Maori has been one of our main strategic aims.
Our other “Big Dots” are the improvement of after-hour services, the improvement of IT services, the development of new models of primary care, improvement of primary mental health and a continued focus on CVD risk and diabetes. In the past year we have enabled all general practices to be on the same patient management IT system so register management and performance analysis are easier and more comprehensive.
The Government has released its strategy documents aiming to deliver “better, sooner, more convenient Primary Health Care”. I believe Manaia has already had these ideals as part of its philosophy and is well placed to continue to co-ordinate and deliver improved healthcare for our community. The challenge for the coming year will be to build on what we have achieved and continue to make a difference.
I would like to acknowledge the Clinical Advisory Committee and the Community Advisory Group who play an integral and critical part of Manaia’s success. Finally I would like to thank my Board, the PHO staff and our CEO Chris Farrelly for making it all happen. The future will bring more challenges and Manaia is ready.
(Dr) Ron Abraham
Chairperson
