FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 1 December 2016

Proud to have been Chair of Hutt Valley DHB

Improved performance on national health targets, a stronger financial position and better relationships with primary care are achievements Hutt Valley DHB Chair Dr Virginia Hope is especially proud of.

Retiring as Chair after six years in the role, she says the organisation in good shape for the future, with a new executive structure and refreshed senior leadership. A Clinical Board is in place and work is under way to set up a Consumer Council. Closer engagement with local iwi at a number of levels is encouraging.

A number of activities are now operating effectively in partnership with neighbouring Wairarapa and Capital & Coast DHBs including mental health, addiction and intellectual disability and information technology services, she says.

“I leave knowing the DHB is in good hands. It is living within its means and on track to break even in 2017/18, while continuing to deliver more services each year.”

“Regional engagement amongst DHBs has a more solid foundation and governance is structured so that we can help each other solve our collective and individual problems, such as shared IT programmes and services and a regional solution for laundry services.

“We’re also seeing a path to the future emerging, with planning underway for the Hutt Valley Health System to the year 2030.”

Dr Hope says many people across the Hutt Valley have contributed to the progress that’s been made.

“The community is well-served by committed, capable, and hard-working staff and clinicians who work across the community and in primary care to make ‘closer to home’ services an increasing reality and ensure that our population gets timely and appropriate care.

“There are stars everywhere and what they do makes a real difference to people who are often going through times of personal challenge when they encounter the health system.”

“I wish the incoming Chair Andrew Blair and the new Board all the best and am confident the DHB will continue to make progress under their oversight.”

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