Hawke's Bay DHB no more: What the new national health body means for the region

Healthcare in Hawke's Bay set to change under one single national healthcare body - Health New Zealand. Photo / File

The end of the Hawke's Bay District Health Board is nigh and, if initial reaction is anything to go by, a brighter future for healthcare in the region is coming.

Over the next three years HBDHB will be replaced, along with the other 19 DHBs around the country, by a single healthcare system - Health New Zealand.

It's a radical Government-driven change that goes beyond even the recommendations of Heather Simpson's Health and Disability System Review, which said NZ would be better off having between eight and 12 DHBs rather than 20.

But Wednesday's announced overhaul has drawn support from many of those who have been associated with the DHB in recent times.

Hawke's Bay DHB board member Kevin Atkinson supports getting rid of the DHBs and having just one healthcare system. Photo / File

Former HBDHB chairman and current board member Kevin Atkinson said he supported having one health system.

He said Health New Zealand as an entity would likely bring more modern facilities and equipment for "our run-down hospital" because it would free up money currently tied up in operating the separate systems that NZ DHBs run.

"We'll also see some of the newer cancer treatment drugs available to New Zealanders as a result of the efficiencies that will come from the change," he added.

"As far as hospitals go it's fantastic."

However, Atkinson did say there are some question marks around how Healthcare NZ's national approach would handle primary and community health, and how communities with unique needs would be able to engage.

Tukituki MP Anna Lorck says the current system with numerous DHBs is broken. Photo / File

Labour Tukituki MP Anna Lorck, who quit the DHB board after being elected to Parliament, said the change would improve healthcare in Hawke's Bay.

Lorck said Health NZ would reduce the bureaucracy that is seen throughout DHBs around the country, including Hawke's Bay.

"The system is broken and these reforms, for the first time, mean we will have a truly national health system," she said.

"The kind of treatment we will get will no longer be determined by where we live."

The Tukituki MP said an area she will be advocating as a priority is to ensure the change doesn't stifle the voice of healthcare consumers.

Lorck said Hawke's Bay was the first DHB in New Zealand to have a consumer council, something that was taken up right across the country, and she hoped it continued.

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri said DHBs are disjointed and Aotearoa didn't need 20 different sets of decision-makers or capital investment plans, describing them as inefficient and inconsistent.

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Meka Whaitiri says getting rid of all 20 DHBs, including the Hawke's Bay DHB, will make healthcare more accessible. Photo / File

She said the DHB currently "doesn't reflect Hawke's Bay's diverse community".

"Each and every one of us deserves to have our voices represented," she said.

As well as Healthcare NZ, a new Māori Health Authority will also monitor the state of Māori health and have the ability to commission services directly.

Associate Health Minister (Māori Health) Peeni Henare said the country's health system performed well overall compared with most international counterparts, but has significant issues delivering for Māori, who continue to lag behind in key health status indicators.

"Māori health has suffered under the current system for too long," he said.

"We will legislate for a new independent voice – the Māori Health Authority – to drive hauora Māori and lead the system to make real change."

Henare said the Māori Health Authority will have joint decision-making rights to agree on national strategies, policies and plans that affect Māori at all levels of the system.

HBDHB chief executive Keriana Brooking said the DHB will work closely with the Government on the implementation of the planned changes in the transition to the new structure and system.

"We remain focused on providing excellent levels of healthcare and support for the people in our region," Brooking said.

"We are committed to improving equitable health outcomes for Māori, Pacific people and those living with disability, mental illness and addiction, and that direction won't change."

The reforms will be phased in over three years to make sure existing services - including the Covid-19 vaccination rollout - are not disrupted.