Te Whatu Ora seasonal planning underway

Preparation for winter has started in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country. As we know, winter brings a unique set of challenges for our communities, hospitals, aged residential care facilities and primary care providers.

We also know that these challenges will not present equitably. Māori and Pacific people will be more likely to visit busy emergency departments (EDs) instead of receiving treatment in a primary care setting; older people and disabled people will be more likely to go to ED and stay in hospital for longer; and those living rurally will find it harder to get an appointment with their primary healthcare provider, or access ambulatory services.

Last year, Te Whatu Ora, was able to conduct our first ever Winter Surge Review, looking at our performance nationally across the whole health system. The review has allowed for the creation of a nationally consistent system pressures operating model and Te Whatu Ora will continue to work alongside Te Aka Whai Ora to deliver it. A final operational plan is expected to be approved by the Te Whatu Ora board in May.

Keep up to date with operating model changes

All information about operating model changes will be posted to the Information Hub on Prism, the intranet check back regularly for details.

Details on timing can be found in the Simplify to Unify – Te Whatu Ora Organisation Change Overview presentation, and you’ll also find links to last week’s ‘all staff’ hui.