Health Providers
The three main health care providers in Waitakere City are Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB), Primary Health Organisations (PHO) and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs).
Waitemata District Health Board - WDHB
District Health Boards (DHBs) are responsible for providing (or funding the provision of) Government funded health care services for the population of a specific geographical area. There are 21 DHBs in New Zealand and they have existed since 1 January 2001.
The statutory objectives of DHBs include improving, promoting and protecting the health of communities, promoting the integration of health services, especially primary and secondary care services, and promoting effective care or support of those in need of personal health services or disability support.
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.
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.
Primary Healthcare Organisations (PHO)
From July 1st 2011, two new Primary Health Organisations (PHO) operate in the Waitemata District. They are: Waitemata PHO and Procare PHO. Your General Practitioner is registered with a PHO. The PHOs support your General Practitioner by providing extra health care services such as: health promotion workers, dieticians, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists and midwives, in the community.
Procare PHO
Procare has welcomed 34 new practices to its network. These practices come mainly from the HealthWest organisation in Waitakere, as well as from Waiora Healthcare, and Te Puna PHO.
A unique relationship has been forged with HealthWest as it ceased to be a PHO on 30th June. HealthWest has become an NGO and continued to deliver community based services that support West Auckland practices through Procare PHO.
Waitemata PHO
General Practices which were previously aligned with Harbour PHO (North Shore and Rodney), Coast 2 Coast PHO (Wellsford) and Waiora PHO (West Auckland) have now formed Waitemata PHO, with 46 General Practices between Devonport and Wellsford and west Auckland. All existing GP services remain the same.
Non Government Organisations (NGO)
A Non Government Organisation is created by natural or legal persons with no participation or representation of any government. In the cases in which NGOs are funded totally or partially by governments, the NGO maintains its non-governmental status therefore it excludes government representatives from membership in the organization.
In a health context NGOs provide support for a range of health issues. They have a non-government status and usually support themselves through volunteers and receive funding from the community they serve.