Complete your Census to help fund future health services

Complete your Census to help fund future health services

Hawke’s Bay District Health Board is asking everyone in Hawke’s Bay to make sure they complete their Census forms by March 6 so health doesn’t miss out on future Government funding.

Chief executive Dr Kevin Snee said funding for the public health sector was determined by the population-based Census data.

“Every dollar counts in health and we believe there has been an increase in the population in Hawke’s Bay since last census judging by the increase in demand on the health system both in the community and for hospital services,” said Dr Snee.

“Everyone should make sure they have completed the Census so they are counted.”

Dr Snee said if people did not take part and complete the Census, then our region may miss out on vital funding.

“This Census will provide a much clearer and up-to-date picture of how many people live in our region, their ethnicity, their age, where they live and the resources required to care for our people across hospital, primary care and community health services.

“Health affects everyone, so we cannot stress how important completing the Census is.”

People have until midnight 6 March 2018 to complete their Census. This year Statistics New Zealand is encouraging the Census to be completed online. Information was also available in five different languages to help guide people through the process.

“We encourage people to support their family/whānau, neighbours and particularly the elderly to help them complete the Census and we will also be supporting patients in hospital with the help of Census 2018 field workers,” said Dr Snee.

Information provided remains confidential with anonymous data provided to government departments for planning and funding purposes. For more information, including the language resources, visit www.census.govt.nz

-ENDS-

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