Reducing inequalities in access to health services

10 September 2007

Reducing inequalities in access to health services

$1.47M has been invested into a new research project which has the potential to result in more equitable access to health services in New Zealand.

The project, led by Dr Barry Gribben of CBG Health Research Limited, will identify and learn more about actions and solutions that improve access to health services for vulnerable population groups. The project has a particular focus on access to primary care, medications and diagnostic services.

The project is the second to be funded through the District Health Board Research Fund (DHBRF) (a total of $6.2M), which is managed by the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) in partnership with the 21 District Health Boards (DHBs).

The objective of the DHBRF is to commission research that addresses key knowledge gaps for DHBs and supports and promotes the translation of research into practice. The research team will undertake a comprehensive stocktake and evaluation of initiatives to improve access and implement an intervention based on their findings.

“There are a wide range of initiates both within New Zealand and internationally, and a lot of knowledge about what works and what doesn’t. Our research project will help the sector share these experiences and develop practical tools for implementing proven interventions,” Dr Gribben says.

“I am really excited about this research project and its potential to improve health outcomes, reduce inequalities and ensure more efficient utilisation of services,” says Mr Chris Clarke, CEO of Hawkes Bay DHB and Chair of the DHBRF.

The research process will require considerable involvement of DHBs, Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) and other health providers around New Zealand. This involvement is essential for the research to have national utility and for the effective translation of research findings into evidence based health services for improved health outcomes - the philosophy behind the DHBRF.

Full details of the project follow:

Principal Investigator: Dr Barry Gribben CBG Health Research Ltd

Improving Access to Services to Reduce Inequalities for Vulnerable Populations 32 months, $1,479,670 For further information: Dr Robin Olds HRC Chief Executive Tel: 09 303 5204 rolds@hrc.govt.nz OR Kristine Scherp HRC Manager Communications Tel: 09 303 5202 kscherp@hrc.govt.nz

About the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) The HRC is the Crown agency responsible for the management of the Government’s investment in public good health research. Ownership of the HRC resides with the Minister of Health, with funding being primarily provided from Vote Research, Science and Technology. A Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministers sets out this relationship. Established under the Health Research Council Act 1990, the HRC's statutory functions include:

-advising the Minister and administering funds in relation to national health research policy

-fostering the recruitment, education, training, and retention of those engaged in health research in New Zealand

-initiating and supporting health research

-undertaking consultation to establish priorities in health research

-promoting and disseminating the results of health research to encourage their contribution to health science, policy and delivery

-ensuring the development and application of appropriate assessment standards by committees or subcommittees that assess health research proposals.

ENDS

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