About Us

Kimi Hauora Wairau, the Marlborough Primary Health Organisation (PHO) was established in January 2004. PHOs are organisations set up to deliver the Government’s Primary Health Care Strategy (http://www.moh.govt.nz/primaryhealthcare). PHOs contract local providers (General Practitioners) to deliver a range of services to meet identified community needs. They are run by a local board comprising representatives from the health providers, community and Iwi / Maori.

The Government’s vision for PHOs is that:

• People will be part of local primary health care services that improve their health, keep them well, are easy to get to and co-ordinate their ongoing care.
• Primary health care services will focus on better health for a population, and actively work to reduce health inequalities between different groups.

To achieve this, the Marlborough PHO has six key directions:

• Work with local communities and enrolled populations.
• Identify and remove health inequalities.
• Offer access to comprehensive services to improve, maintain and restore people’s health.
• Co-ordinate care across service areas.
• Develop the primary health care workforce.
• Primary health care services will focus on better health for a population, and actively work to reduce health inequalities between different groups.

The PHO is funded on an enrolled population-basis through the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board. This funding provides support for primary care patient services at General Practice level across Marlborough.

Programmes and projects to improve access to primary health services are also being established. Health promotion and information is also provided through the PHO. The Marlborough PHO currently funds services to an enrolled population of 39,900 through 35 General Practitioners, including 5 Locums, and 37 Practice Nurses.

To date, the PHO has focused on getting services, systems, communications and consultation processes established, as well as planning for the future.