CEO’S COMMENTS

IthasbeenanotherdifficultyearfortheprimarycaresectorasitledtheCOVID-19response. The sector has been under increasing pressure as clinicians manage the impact of cancelled surgeries and postponed specialist appointments, on top of an increased COVID-19 workload and the challenges of managing a general practice in a pandemic. I have been visiting member practices and have been impressed by the way they have responded to ensure that the people of Canterbury receive an excellent level of primary care. This year the health reforms have begun to take shape with the formation of Te Aka Whai Ora-MāoriHealthAuthorityandTeWhatuOra-HealthNewZealand. What this means for primary care is still unclear, however we remain vigilant and connected to ensure we understand these changes as they happen. Relationships remain crucial during this time and Pegasus is working to build these. As we emerge from what was hopefully the worst of the pandemic, we can start to look ahead positively. We are well placed to grow as the health reforms take place. As part of our preparation, we have an updated strategic direction and have made changes to our structure to deliver on that strategic direction. This has created better alignment between our teams and greater focus on meeting the needs of our customers as the health reforms roll out. This new strategic approach and associated changes position us to work with Te Aka Whai Ora and Te Whatu Ora. We are working on how we will contribute to Localities as they are implemented in Canterbury. This includes a renewed focus on our relationship with tangata whenua. There is a huge amount of work ahead of us. We have adopted an Equity and Population Health Strategy. Equity and Te Tiriti o Waitangi are at the centre of what we do at Pegasus and I am pleased we have a strategy in place to help us address inequities in the health system. I am looking forward to working with our incoming chair Barry Bragg and would like to thank Peter Townsend for his support and leadership.

Mark Liddle Pegasus Health (Charitable) Ltd CEO