Media Release
16 September 2015
Productivity Commission recommends Canterbury health alliance model
The New Zealand Productivity Commission has recognised the benefits of Canterbury’s health alliance model in its More
Effective Social Services report released this week.
Canterbury’s health alliance, the Canterbury Clinical Network (CCN) is recognised in the report as a valuable model for
the integration of New Zealand’s social services.
Chairperson of the CCN Alliance Leadership Team, Sir John Hansen welcomed greater integration between health and other
social services.
“We fundamentally believe that all parts of a person’s life combine to contribute to good health and wellbeing,” Sir
John said.
“Better integration and collaboration across social services is certainly worthwhile if it supports people to have the
best and most equitable access to the services they need.
“The Canterbury health system at its very heart believes in collaboration and integration of services to provide better
patient care.”
Canterbury Clinical Network Programme Director, Kim Sinclair-Morris said the Canterbury health system’s alliance
framework has proven a highly effective model for services working together towards a shared vision.
“We know that coordinating care for people with complex needs helps ensure they experience seamless care and improves
overall health outcomes,” Mrs Sinclair-Morris said.
“We believe the Canterbury Clinical Network epitomises many of the recommendations in the report, including giving
providers who are close to clients more flexibility and accountability over resources, giving clients more say over the
services they receive and directing resources so that people have more equitable access to the services they need.
“Our alliance approach supports the development of models of care that provide integrated care for people across a
number of health and social service providers.”