Completing the Census is vital

28 February 2018

MEDIA RELEASE

Completing the Census is vital to help us plan and fund your health services

Completing your Census form and being counted as a Cantabrian is important and will help ensure your DHB is funded correctly. Everybody counts. That’s the message from the Canterbury District Health Board.

Canterbury DHB chief executive David Meates says being counted is really important as it lets the government know how many people live in Canterbury.

This year the Census is being done online for the first time. You have until midnight on 6 March to complete the form. Mr Meates says it’s important for people to help Canterbury-based family/whānau, or neighbours, especially those who are elderly or may not have access to computers.

“When people complete the Census it means we have better information on which to base our planning for future health services. It will help provide a clearer picture of who we need to provide hospital, primary care, and community health services for. Having enough resource to do that is vital and the Census is the best way to ensure this,” says Mr Meates.

“Our funding is based on how many people live in Canterbury. Their age, ethnicity and address all impact on how much government funding we receive.”

“Anything you can do to help people complete the Census is time well spent.”

He says Census information is completely secure and confidential. Anonymous data is provided to government departments to help us plan and provide for future health and social services.

For more information, see www.census.govt.nz

ENDS

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