Primary health federation speaks up at the top level

The Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa New Zealand had a “free and frank discussion” with the top two health officials last Friday, executive director Angela Francis says.

Primary and community care being taken seriously is top priority for the federation and Ms Francis says that message got through to health bosses Fepulea’i Margie Apa and Riana Manuel, chief executives of Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora respectively.

The federation board – Steve Chadwick, Andrew Gaudin, Teresa Wall, Ngapei Ngatai, Phillip Chapman, Don Matheson and Jenny Carryer – asked that equitable resources be provided to frontline primary services – the same as that given to hospital and specialist services.

Ms Francis says the response was positive, indicating a possibility exists to reduce overheads in secondary care to provide more funding for primary care services.

The federation also asked the health leaders to consider developing a commissioning model that values “all parts of the health system”.

A functioning commissioning model would be pragmatic and provide fair and adequate funding for all within the health system, she says.

The federation expects to engage further with commissioning director Abbe Anderson, whom they met earlier and who asked for a standing invitation to all federation meetings. Ms Francis says that’s an indication of good intentions.

Ms Apa and Ms Manuel requested to be invited to further meetings to continue discussions.

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The federation is seeking a “genuine and clear process of engagement and codesign and that would include consumers, whanau, carers and providers”, says Ms Francis.

She adds all parties are on the same page with regard to shifting care to where people live, work and play. “That’s really important for us.”