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Contracting for health services

Abstract:

In July 1991 the National Government announced its intention to effect reforms in the health services. Improved community health status, universal access to identified core health services and increased cost effectiveness and accountability were the stated aims of the health reforsm. A number of changes to the then current system were to be instrumental in the achievement of these aims. The purchaser or funder/provider split represented the most major change. The intent of this split was to allow the purchaser to select the best services available to meet the needs of its consumers. The purchasers, four (Northern, Midland, Central and Southern) Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) would be funded by government according to their population size and characteristics. Providers such as the Crown Health Enterprises (previously Area Health Boards) and independent health professionals (including midwives) would contract in a competitive market for the provision of subsidised services.

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fund holding, government funding, health care services, health reforms