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Your Chance to See Waikato DHB in Action
7 August 2013
Your Chance to See Waikato DHB in Action
Those still considering standing for Waikato District Health Board (DHB) and those who have already indicated they will stand, have the opportunity to see how the board works at two committee meetings next week.
The Health Waikato, Community and Public Health and Disability Support advisory committees meet at 9.30am and 1pm on Wednesday 14 August – two days before nominations close for seven places on the Waikato DHB board.
The committees comprise board members and appointed community members.
Between midday and 1pm, potential or confirmed candidates can discuss issues with current members and ask questions about what is involved with being a Waikato DHB board member.
Board chair Graeme Milne, who is an appointed board member and is standing down after the elections, said candidates should ideally have an interest in the health sector and have the skill and qualities to be an effective member.
DHBs are large enterprises. Waikato DHB has a budget of $1.2 billion and employs 6450 people, plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 371,540 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
“It’s up there with the big companies,” said Mr Milne. “There are not many companies in New Zealand that have a turn-over of more than a billion dollars.
He urges people with experience in the financial and commercial sector to consider standing.
“But you also need an empathy with the health sector. I don’t think people should put their names forward if they haven’t got some interest in the sector, you also need a reasonable understanding of what it is to be a director.”
Mr Milne said it was a large and complex organisation with plenty of challenge and excitement.
“It’s the sort of job that some of the better directors in the land should find attractive.”
The various reforms in the health system mean DHB members are responsible for decisions that touch on the lives of many and have more impact than most people in the sector might realise.
“That’s why we want the very best people we can get, coming from a variety of backgrounds who are willing to give something back.”
Key
points:
• District health boards are responsible
for providing or funding the provision of health services in
their district
• The boards that govern the DHB consist
of up to 11 members – seven elected and four appointed by
the Minister of Health to ensure a range of perspectives,
skills and knowledge
• Nominations opened on 19 July
and close at noon on 16 August
• Waikato DHB is the
region’s biggest business and largest
employer
• Voting papers are issued from 20-25
September
• 12 October is election day, voting closes
at noon
• 9 December newly elected board members take
office
• More information on www.health.govt.nz/dhbelections or www.waikatodhb.health.nz/elections
• To
read the agendas for the three committee meetings go to www.waikatodhb.health.nz/board
• To
register your interest in either attending the committee
meetings or meeting the current board, email donna.straiton@waikatodhb.health.nz
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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