The New Zealand Primary Health Care Strategy will be launched on Thursday, February 1, at 1.30pm. The Strategy looks at the first level of health care, including keeping people healthy, preventing illness, advice on managing illness, and services provided by doctors and nurses for early assessment, treatment and care of those with ongoing problems. It sets the national framework for improved coordination of services, and new ways of funding and organising services.

An embargoed copy of the report will be available to interested media from the Ministry of Health or in the Minister's office (18th floor, Bowen House). It will also be available on the Ministry of Health website after 1.30pm on 1 February.

The launch will be held at Tapu te Ranga Marae, 44 Rhine Street, Island Bay, Wellington. The Powhiri starts at 1.30 and is expected to take 30 minutes. It will be followed by the launch of the document by Health Minister Annette King. Director-General of Health Dr Karen Poutasi will also speak at the launch.

A workshop/hui directed at the health sector will be held after the launch. This workshop/hui is closed to the media to ensure free and frank discussion, but media wanting to follow-up on the outcome of the workshop/hui can contact Selina Gentry, Ministry of Health Media Liaison (04) 496 2483.

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