National Health Committee

WHO WE ARE

The National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability (the Committee) is established under Section 13 of the New Zealand Health and Disability Act 2000 (NZHDA). The role of the Committee is to advise the Minister of Health on:

• the kinds, and relative priorities, of public health services, personal health services, and disability support services that should, in the Committee's opinion, be publicly funded
• other matters relating to public health, including personal health and regulatory matters relating to public health
• any other matters that the Minister specifies by notice to the Committee.

KEY TASKS

The Committee's task, in line with the requirements of Section 13 of the NZHDA, is to provide advice to the Minister of Health on the quality and mix of services that should, in the Committee's opinion, be publicly funded. In doing so, the Committee should, having regard to available resources, advise the Minister on measures that would deliver the greatest benefit to the health of the population, and groups of the population, with regard to groups at risk of disadvantage.

The Committee is also, in line with the requirements of Section 13 of the NZHDA, to advise the Minister on other matters relating to public health, including personal health matters and regulatory matters relating to public health, and any other matters that the Minister specifies.

In fulfilling these tasks, the Committee will promote wider discussion of key strategies and changes relating to publicly funded health services.

The Committee is to establish a Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC). The PHAC's task is to provide independent advice to the Minister on public health issues, the promotion of public health, the monitoring of public health and any other matters that the National Health Committee specifies.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

After discussion with the Ministry of Health, the Committee will agree a work programme with the Minister of Health. A Committee Secretariat, comprising a core of permanent staff led by a Programme Manager and sufficient to meet the Committee's statutory requirements, will be based in the Ministry of Health.

In developing its advice the Committee should:

• adopt an evidence-based approach
• consult with any members of the public, persons involved in the provision of health services and services for people with disabilities, and other persons that the Committee considers appropriate
• provide the Minister with advance notice of any media statements or reports to be published
• ensure its advice is published and widely available
• consult with District Health Boards on their ability, within the context of their budget constraints, to implement the Committee's advice to the Minister, and be explicit about any extra costs in its advice
• take account of the annual accountability cycle of the District Health Boards and the need for sufficient lead time for the implementation of new policies.

CONTACT DETAILS

National Health Committee
PO Box 5013
Old Bank Building
Cnr Lambton Quay and Willis St
WELLINGTON
phone 04-495 4400
fax 04-495 4401
website www.nhc.health.govt.nz

This information has been supplied and approved by The National Health Committee and is copyright protected. The content and design of this page must not be reproduced electronically or in print without the written permission of UBM Medica (NZ) Ltd.