Waitemata District Health Board (DHB) is the largest of New Zealand’s 21 DHBs, serving a population of almost half a million people. It is responsible for providing and funding health and disability services for people living in North Shore City, Waitakere City and the Rodney District. With a staff in the vicinity of 5,500 people Waitemata DHB is also the district’s largest employer.
Waitemata DHB provides predominantly secondary care health services including a range of medical, surgical, obstetric, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation (for older people), mental health, community and disability services. It also provides a range of Auckland regional services including child disability, forensic psychiatric services, school dental services and alcohol and drug services.
Our mission
To make a healthy difference.
Our values:
- Openness
Ensuring transparency of process, structure and communication
- Integrity
Being truthful, sincere, fair and consistent in all dealings
- Compassion
Being thoughtful of people’s needs and supporting them in ways that protect their mana
- Customer Focus
Spending time and energy to ensure that patients/clients and customers are well served
- Respect
Acknowledging a person’s dignity.
Our strategic themes
These are characteristics we believe will be fundamental to the way the health sector should operate and interact with its community in the future. They guide and inform the way Waitemata DHB and other participants should respond to future needs and challenges.
Seamless service
Integrating service delivery systems including education, prevention, community, primary and secondary services by treating them as a single seamless system that is easy to access and move within. Partnership and collaboration at all levels.
Wellness and responsibility
Healthy lifestyles and communities. Individuals and communities take responsibility for and are supported in maintaining health and well-being. Emphasis on health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and primary care.
Consumer and family focus
Customisation based on individual needs and culture. Role and needs of families recognised. Active involvement of consumers and communities.
Safety
Embedding safety in a clinical, cultural and spiritual sense, in the skills of health professionals and systems of care.
About District Health Boards (DHBs)
New Zealand’s DHBs have existed since 1 January 2001 when the New Zealand Public Health and Disability (NZPHD) Act 2000 came into force. The statutory objectives of Waitemata DHB and all New Zealand DHBs include:
- Improving, promoting and protecting the health of communities
- Promoting the integration of health services, especially primary and secondary care services
- Promoting effective care or support of those in need of personal health services or disability support.
Other DHB objectives include promoting the inclusion and participation in society and independence of people with disabilities, reducing health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population groups, and to reduce toward elimination, health outcome disparities between various population groups.
DHBs are expected to show a sense of social responsibility, to foster community participation in health improvement, and to uphold the ethical and quality standards commonly expected of providers of services and public sector organisations.
Treaty of Waitangi
Waitemata DHB supports the government policy of reducing inequalities. Working in partnership with Maori at all levels and in all parts of the district health sector helps the DHB ensure participation occurs, resulting in better health outcomes for Maori people who experience inequitable outcomes.
Waitemata DHB’s partnership programme is consistent with the Treaty of Waitangi and adheres to the framework outlined by the NZPHD Act 2000.