Consumer health forum Aotearoa update – June 2022
Tā te tumu whakarae kupu | Director update
Tēnā koutou katoa,
I am writing this the day before the health reforms kick into action, and I suspect as you read this you might be thinking, ‘well, nothing has changed except a few names’, and at this point you may well be right. My expectation is that services will still be delivered, and you should be receiving the care and treatment you would normally expect to receive.
Any reform takes time, and these reforms are huge. It will take time for the new health entities to have the infrastructure in place for these changes to be socialised. In the meantime, I am hearing that consumers and whānau are hopeful about these reforms.
At the recent consumer health forum Aotearoa hui, many voices spoke of hope for better health services, stronger consumer and whānau input in decision making and for health inequity to be addressed.
One of the most significant changes in these reforms is a renewed focus on elevating consumer voices. The new code of expectations for health entities’ engagement with consumers and whānau is awaiting final sign-off from the Minister of Health. Many of you gave feedback during its development, and I thank you for making the time and effort to do this. It has made a difference.
We remain hopeful.
Noho ora mai,
Chris Walsh
Director
He Hoa Tiaki | Partners in Care