By FRANCESCA MOLD
The country's 21 hospital and health services are about to come under public scrutiny for the first time in almost a decade.
Under new legislation, they become district health boards and their meetings must be open.
However, health officials have given the boards a bit of leeway to prepare for the new operation.
They have until February to make sure that they have wrapped up all their business under the old system before they open themselves to public scrutiny.
Auckland Healthcare will hold its first meeting as a district health board on February 1.
South Auckland will decide on its first meeting date tomorrow.
Waitemata will meet on February 7, Health Waikato on February 14 and the Northland Health board on February 26.
The new Lakes district health board, which covers the Rotorua area, has yet to decide on a date.
The Director-General of Health, Dr Karen Poutasi, said development plans for each board were well underway.
She said staff were positive about the change.
The boards will gradually take over responsibility for health funding in their region.
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