Jobs & Money Detail
Regional healing
Nicole Francis, Candidate Care Manager for the region’s HealthAlliance, profiles the opportunities offered by the Auckland region’s three District Health Boards
Auckland is New Zealand's most populous region and is serviced by some of the nation's largest and most modern hospitals. With population growth predicted to continue 'trend positive', the region is experiencing strong demand for health professionals at all levels.
Auckland and healthcare
Auckland, 'City of Sails', is a melting pot of cultures, opportunities, landmarks and experiences. It stretches from Waitemata Harbour in the north to Manukau Harbour in the south. The city's heart beats to a slightly slower rhythm than most international cities, but it still has all the advantages of a major city and is an exciting and vibrant place to live.
By international standards, the New Zealand health workforce is highly skilled, employs the latest medical technology and is well equipped to provide a wide range of health services to the communities it serves.
As New Zealand becomes increasingly diverse, there is growing demand for knowledgeable and culturally well aligned healthcare professionals who are comfortable working with a range of ethnic communities.
Structure
The structure of health and disability support services in New Zealand has changed over the last decade. The health sector is now more community-oriented and delivers its services through 21 District Health Boards (DHBs) around the country. The Ministry of Health supports the DHBs through the provision of regulation and funding. All essential healthcare is provided free through the public health system. This means that while some routine services, such as visits to local doctors and dentists have to be paid for, more costly services, such as hospital treatment are, with minor exceptions, available at no cost to all residents.
The three DHBs in the Auckland region have close links with tertiary institutions that are committed to a range of professional development programmes. Health professionals working in the Auckland region consequently have excellent opportunities to further develop their skills and advance their careers in almost any direction they choose.
Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB)
5,900 staff
Serves 472,500 residents
The Counties Manukau region is one of the fastest-growing areas in New Zealand. It has a diverse population which comprises a high proportion of Maori, Pacific and Asian residents. The region's DHB is well known for its innovative approach to health issues and places strong emphasis on improving the services it delivers by working in partnership with local communities to ensure these are appropriately designed and cost effectively
delivered.
The region expects to face some huge challenges in the future as its population grows, ages, becomes even more ethnically diverse and requires more from its health services. Current predictions show that over the next 15 years, the region's population will increase by 170,000 people to reach a total of 635,000.
Not surprisingly, the Counties Manukau DHB already has a number of exciting projects underway or nearing completion. This year it celebrated a number of significant achievements:
• Boosted elective surgery numbers by 37 per cent without increasing staff numbers or facilities. This success is the result of a focus on teamwork between all areas of the DHB from doctors to cleaning staff.
• A new Assessment Labour and Birthing Unit and Maternity Ward opened.
• Construction began on a new 240-bed ward block. Initial development will include two floors of wards with 119 beds and a new cardiac investigation unit – opening June 2009.
• A new Adult and Medical Centre and new Intensive Care Unit opened.
Waitemata District Health Board (WDHB) – Making a healthy difference
5,400 staff
Serves 500,000 residents
Waitemata District Health Board serves the largest population in New Zealand. The Waitemata DHB is dedicated to providing high quality, family-oriented care. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and mental health are four key areas of priority as they have the greatest potential to improve the quality of health of communities in the Waitemata region.
Recently, a new mental health facility has been opened at Waitakare Hospital as well as a new High Dependency Unit at North Shore Hospital. A new state-of-the-art Cardiovascular unit is also being developed with the first stages already completed.
The Waitemata DHB has also launched a number of community initiatives designed to promote wellbeing and encourage people to become more active in maintaining their own good health.
Strong emphasis is placed on staff support because the DHB realises its staff are the key to providing quality care to the community. Teamwork is a feature of this approach because it is appreciated that in an organisation of this size much depends on a lot of people making significant contributions.
To find out more about the careers with the Auckland Regional Health Boards, visit:
www.aucklandhealthcareers.co.nz
Email specific enquiries to Nicole Francis at: Nicole.Francis@healthalliance.co.nz
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