Page 12 - Statement of Intent 2015/16

The outputs part of the service performance section of our performance story diagram contains examples of measures contained in the statement of performance expectations. There are more than 30 output measures in total we will be monitoring.
1.2 National Operating Environment
The Minister of Health with Cabinet and the Government develops policy for the health and disability sector. The Minister is supported by the Ministry of Health and its business units, advised by the Ministry, the National Health Board, Health Workforce New Zealand, the National Health Committee and other ministerial advisory committees. Accident services are funded by Accident Compensation Corporation.
Health and disability services in New Zealand are delivered by a complex network of organisations and people. Each has their role in working with others across the system to achieve better, sooner, more convenient services for all New Zealanders. The network of organisations is linked through a series of funding and accountability arrangements to ensure performance and service delivery across the health and disability system.
1.2.1 Treaty of Waitangi
The Treaty of Waitangi (Te Tiriti o Waitangi) is New Zealand’s founding constitutional document and is often referred to in overarching strategies and plans throughout all sectors. Waikato DHB values the importance of the Treaty. Central to the Treaty relationship and implementation of Treaty principles is a shared understanding that health is a ‘taonga’ (treasure).
1.2.2 Health Sector Challenges and Pressures
Major, long-term systematic pressures are shaping the way health services will be delivered in the future. These not only impact on New Zealand, but on a majority of health systems across the world. These challenges and pressures include:
 There are substantial variations in outcomes for different populations, particularly for Māori and Pacific peoples, people with disabilities, people living in rural areas and those living in more socioeconomically deprived areas;
 With increasing diversity in our population, the health system needs to be flexible to meet changing needs and expectations of services;
 Changing population health needs and patterns of health and ill-health (e.g. the impact of long-term conditions such as diabetes and risk factors such as high body mass index, multiple comorbidities that increase with age, population growth and ageing);
 An ageing and unevenly distributed workforce, which does not currently match the anticipated future demand for health and disability services;
 More expensive treatments and increasing costs, and changing public expectations of services and treatments;
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