PHOs now eligible for more management assistance

Ministry of Health
Media Release
7 July 2005

PHOs now eligible for additional management services assistance

In March this year the Minister of Health, Annette King, announced the availability of an extra $3 million to assist Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) with their management services, starting in July.

"I am pleased to announce further details of the roll-out of an additional management fee for PHOs with 40,000 or fewer people enrolled, which takes effect from today," said the Ministry of Health's Deputy Director-General, Clinical Services, Dr Colin Feek.

This will enable smaller PHOs to better fulfil their management and administrative responsibilities, such as making sure there is community consultation and representation, processing of patient registers, maintaining high standards of patient care and reporting and monitoring requirements.

PHOs with enrolled populations of 40,000 or fewer will be eligible receive a share of this new funding from this month onwards; the payment will be $13.88 (GST exclusive) per person for the first 20,000 enrolees and 80 cents per person
for the next 20,000.

The increased management fee funding will be made conditional upon PHOs demonstrating efficient delivery of management services. PHOs eligible for the rate increase will initially receive $10,000 to support their work with their District Health Boards so that opportunities for collaboration and increased efficiency are identified.

"There was also a need to strike a balance between providing more financial support to PHOs so that they can perform the tasks required, while encouraging them to join with others to create more efficiencies," said Dr Feek.

ENDS

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