District health boards (DHBs) are responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services for the population of their district to ensure services are arranged effectively and efficiently for all of New Zealand. This includes funding for primary care, hospital services, public health services, aged care services, and services provided by other non-government health providers including Māori and Pacific providers.

WDHB organisational structure chart - click for detailed view

The Board is responsible to the Crown through the Minister of Health for the overall governance and performance of the Whanganui District Health Board.

The Kaihautū Hauora – Chief Executive, who is appointed by the board, is responsible for the overall management and performance of the WDHB. The Kaihautū Hauora – Chief Executive leads the organisation in accordance with our He Hāpori Ora – Thriving Communities strategic plan, and annual plans and policies approved by the board to achieve our strategic focus areas.

WDHB’s structure is based on a clinical – community partnership model designed to support the aspiration of enabling the people within the Whanganui District Health Board rohe to build resilient communities, empowering whānau and individuals to determine their own wellbeing.

The people within the Whanganui District Health Board rohe (whānau, communities, individuals and patients) are the focus of three service delivery groups. Service delivery groups serve the people of our communities and are grouped together by a common purpose and consistent way of working.  These are:

• Hospital and Clinical Services
• Maternal, Child and Youth Services
• Primary and Community Services

Supporting the service delivery groups are four service support and strategy groups. Service support and strategy groups are a mix of shared services (providing consistent support of similar expertise to all other groups) and strategic services (providing consistent direction and decision support to all other groups). These are:

• Strategy, Commissioning and Population Health
• Māori Health and Equity
• Corporate Services
• Patient Safety, Quality and Innovation

Underpinned by the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the integrated matrix provides clarity for the foundation of these interactions and will strengthen our ability to ensure and outward focus on our community.