West Coast District Health Board

West Coast District Health Board

Location of the West Coast DHB (green) in New Zealand
Abbreviation	WCDHB
Formation	1 January 2001; 23 years ago (2001-01-01)
Founder	New Zealand Government
Dissolved	1 July 2022; 2 years ago (2022-07-01)
Legal status	Active
Purpose	DHB
Services	Health and disability services
Parent organization	Ministry of Health
Website	www.wcdhb.health.nz

The West Coast District Health Board (West Coast DHB or WCDHB) was a district health board with the focus on providing healthcare to the West Coast region of New Zealand. In July 2022, the West Coast DHB's functions and responsibilities were taken over by the national health service Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand).

History

The West Coast District Health Board, like most other district health boards, came into effect on 1 January 2001 established by the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.^[1]

On 1 July 2022, the West Coast DHB's hospitals and health services were taken over by the national health service Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) as part of an overhaul of the district health board system.^[2] The West Coast DHB's former jurisdiction was taken over by Te Whatu Ora's Te Waipounamu division.^[3]

Geographic area

The area covered by the West Coast District Health Board was defined in Schedule 1 of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 and based on territorial authority and ward boundaries as constituted as at 1 January 2001.^[4] The area could have been adjusted through an Order in Council.^[5]

Governance

The initial board was fully appointed. Since the 2001 local elections, the board had been partially elected (seven members) and in addition, up to four members get appointed by the Minister of Health. The minister also appoints the chairperson and deputy-chair from the pool of eleven board members.^[6]

Demographics

Main article: West Coast Region § Population

The area served by the West Coast DHB is the same as the West Coast region.^{[citation needed]}

Hospitals

Public hospitals

• Grey Base Hospital (42.4636512°S 171.1899531°E / -42.4636512; 171.1899531) in Greymouth, Grey District has 120 beds and provides maternity, surgical, dementia care, medical, geriatric, mental health and children's health services.^[7]
• Buller Health (41.7488081°S 171.6038604°E / -41.7488081; 171.6038604) in Westport, Buller District has eight beds and provides maternity and medical services.^[8]

Notes

1. Rudman, Brian (13 February 2012). "Brian Rudman: Three health boards must marry and economise". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
2. "Health and disability system reforms". Ministry of Health. 5 July 2022. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
3. Brew, Andy (1 July 2022). "Dissolution Has Begun: DHB member fears 'loss of localism' with Health NZ". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
4. Public Health and Disability Act 2000, Schedule 1.
5. Public Health and Disability Act 2000, Section 19.
6. "District health boards". Ministry of Health. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
7. "Grey Base Hospital – Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
8. "Buller Health – Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.

References

• New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000, Parliamentary Counsel Office, 2000, retrieved 3 May 2020