Community Health Networks (CHN) are a key component of the Health System Plan 2030. The CHN are the central organising point for the delivery of effective and efficient healthcare and a key enabler to deliver health care in a variety of community settings. The Networks are mechanism to organise health services that are specifically designed to meet the needs of the Network population.
Each Network with generally include 20,000-50,000 people. Eight Networks will be established in specific areas across the region based on demographics, health need and physical proximity.
The networks will be designed to connect to enhanced Primary Care services and specialist services and connect with Health Care Home practices. A key focus will be to identity Māori and Pacific populations and improving health services that support their needs.
Community Health Networks provide organising infrastructure for:
Integrative health services that can deliver services for people with multiple and complex health needs in community settings
Develop and formalise infrastructure that supports providers to share health services to respond to the population health needs
Utilise specialist services that are connected to Health Care Homes
Contact point for hospital specialist services
Key to the developing the Community Health Networks is collaboration between providers and the health sector. This will be supported by the ICC.
Community Health Networks will be aligned to the principles of the HSP 2030. Communities, whānau and people are the central focus for these Networks. Working together, innovating, creating efficiencies, simplifying and intensifying based on population health needs, as well as shifting to supporting the person in their health journey are key design principles for the Networks.
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