Draft National Health Agreement

Platform has successfully lead a challenge against the Draft National Health Agreement which might otherwise have become the standard contract for District Health Boards to use when purchasing services in the community sector. This action was not taken lightly but the alternative was the possibility of contractual changes which would increase the powers of the funder and stifle the work of organisations in the mental health, addictions and disability sector.

The tone and approach of this Draft National Health Agreement totally contradicted Minister Tariana Turia's Cabinet paper which was calling for a strengthening of relations with the community sector. At a large community /Government forum held at the same time DHBNZ was calling for submissions Minister Turia's comments (echoed by the Prime Minister) talked about the need for the Government...

   "to take stock about the health and status of the relationship experienced between community and Government. We all know that Government doesn't hold the monopoly on what works for communities and nor should it." .... But we recognise also that the individual government agencies need to get better at working with their community and voluntary sector partners.....This requires a different mindset from a top down approach. We need to find ways to join forces and work together for the common good." link to full speech

In taking this stand, Platform represented 280 organisations by linking into our local network connections and partnering with the newly emerging New Zealand Disability Support Network. There was a huge sense of mobilisation of those who work within communities.
The very positive outcome of our action was that DHBNZ has agreed that if any future work was developed in this area they would be seeking to agree with NGO contractors some "first principles" that might streamline and improve the efficiency of contracting. This decision is warmly welcomed by the sector and which provides real potential for alignment between the Government and health and disability services providers on issues that touch the lives of many New Zealanders.

We want to achieve streamlined services, reduced duplication and better value for money. The problems and some of the potential solutions were addressed in the NgOIT 2008 NGO - DHB Contracting Environment, the sector wants contracting to be more efficient, we recognise that becoming leaner, fitter, more focused organisations will enable us to better serve those who need our support. But the major question is how do we do this work of transformation and where do we do it?

There is an emerging recognition that we need to shed the baggage of the past and move forward to forge a new relationship with funders based not on control and suspicion but on mutual respect, understanding, honesty and openness. If we cannot achieve this then the future looks bleak, time is running out and resources are limited. But if we do then we can harness a vast reservoir of community capability, experience, innovation and leadership. And, if we can do that, it can have a huge impact on the future of New Zealand.

Across the country there is tremendous goodwill to meet those expectations - and community organisations are keen to help make New Zealand's health and disability system work well.

A face to face meeting to progress the National Health Agreement with DHBNZ is scheduled for late February 2010. We will keep you updated on progress.