Waikato District Health Board Explained

Waikato District Health Board
Map:Waikato District Health Board map.svg
Founder:New Zealand Government
Status:Active
Purpose:DHB
Services:Health and disability services
Owners:-->
Leader Title:Chairman
Leader Title2:Chief executive
Leader Title3:Deputy chairman
Parent Organization:Ministry of Health

The Waikato District Health Board (Waikato DHB) was a district health board that provided healthcare to the Waikato region of New Zealand.

History

The Waikato 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]

2021 Ransomware attack

See main article: Waikato District Health Board ransomware attack. In mid-May 2021, the Waikato District Health Board's hospital computer systems and phone lines were affected by a ransomware attack.[2] On 25 May, an unidentified group claimed responsibility for the hack and issued an ultimatum to the Waikato DHB, having obtained sensitive data about patients, staff and finances.[3] Hackers later dumped confidential medical, financial and patients' data onto the dark web, forcing the DHB to work with cyber-experts to minimise any potential privacy disclosures.[4]

The Waikato DHB and New Zealand Government ruled out paying the ransom.[5] By mid-June 2021, the Waikato DHB had managed to restore most health services and operations but faced a backlog of outpatient appointments due to the disruption caused by the ransomware attack.[6]

Dissolution

On 1 July 2022, the Waikato DHB and the 19 other district health boards were disestablished, with Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) assuming their former functions and operations including hospitals and health services.[7] The Waikato DHB was brought under Te Whatu Ora's Te Manawa Taki division.[8]

Geographic area

The area covered by the Waikato District Health Board is 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. The area can be adjusted through an Order in Council.

Governance

The initial board was fully appointed. From the 2001 local elections, until 8 May 2019, the board was partially elected (seven members) and in addition, up to four members were appointed by the Minister of Health. After the Board divided over an issue,[9] they were replaced by Dr Karen Poutasi as Commissioner.[10] The minister had also appointed the chairperson and deputy-chair from the pool of eleven board members.[11]

Demographics

Waikato DHB served a population of 405,558 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 46,248 people (12.9%) since the 2013 census, and an increase of 66,369 people (19.6%) since the 2006 census. There were 144,243 households. There were 199,959 males and 205,599 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.97 males per female. The median age was 37.1 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 85,497 people (21.1%) aged under 15 years, 81,351 (20.1%) aged 15 to 29, 174,111 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 64,599 (15.9%) aged 65 or older.

Ethnicities were 73.7% European/Pākehā, 23.9% Māori, 4.6% Pacific peoples, 10.0% Asian, and 2.4% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.

The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.

Although some people objected to giving their religion, 50.2% had no religion, 35.1% were Christian, 1.8% were Hindu, 1.0% were Muslim, 0.8% were Buddhist and 3.9% had other religions.

Of those at least 15 years old, 61,023 (19.1%) people had a bachelor or higher degree, and 64,365 (20.1%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $29,800, compared with $31,800 nationally. 48,411 people (15.1%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 154,875 (48.4%) people were employed full-time, 47,331 (14.8%) were part-time, and 14,454 (4.5%) were unemployed.

Hospitals

Waikato Hospital campus

Other public hospitals

Other private hospitals

Notes and References

  1. News: Rudman . Brian . Brian Rudman . Brian Rudman: Three health boards must marry and economise . 3 May 2020 . . 13 February 2012.
  2. News: Cyber attack similar to HSE breach cripples New Zealand district’s health system. Moloney. Eoghan. 18 May 2021. 24 May 2021. Irish Independent. https://web.archive.org/web/20210524004728/https://www.independent.ie/world-news/cyber-attack-similar-to-hse-breach-cripples-new-zealand-districts-health-system-40440898.html. 24 May 2021. live.
  3. News: Waikato DHB cyber attack: Group claims responsibility, says it has confidential patient details . 25 May 2021 . . 25 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210525221306/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/waikato-dhb-cyber-attack-group-claims-responsibility-says-it-has-confidential-patient-details/OV6DORGTXIU474ANBCZH7NXZOY/. 25 May 2021. live.
  4. News: Waikato DHB ransomware attack: Documents released online . 10 July 2021 . . 29 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210706030852/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/445735/waikato-dhb-ransomware-attack-documents-released-online . 6 July 2021. live.
  5. News: Manch . Thomas . Wilson . Libby . Waikato DHB scrambles to contain cyber attack, safety of patient data unclear . 25 May 2021 . . 25 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210525160523/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/125235676/waikato-dhb-scrambles-to-contain-cyber-attack-safety-of-patient-data-unclear. 25 May 2021. live.
  6. News: Waikato DHB still affected by cyber attack . 10 July 2021 . . 15 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210625150452/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/444765/waikato-dhb-still-affected-by-cyber-attack . 25 June 2021. live.
  7. Web site: Health and disability system reforms . . 13 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703023519/https://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/overview-health-system/health-and-disability-system-reforms . 3 July 2022 . 5 July 2022 . live.
  8. News: Brew . Andy . Dissolution Has Begun: DHB member fears 'loss of localism' with Health NZ . 13 February 2023 . . 1 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220701223740/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300625743/dissolution-has-begun-dhb-member-fears-loss-of-localism-with-health-nz . 1 July 2022. live.
  9. Web site: Dave . Macpherson . 7 May 2019 . Waikato DHB Board sacking confirmed . 2020-11-14. Scoop News.
  10. Web site: Commissioner appointed for Waikato DHB. 2020-11-14. The Beehive. en.
  11. Web site: District health boards . . 3 May 2020 . 12 February 2020.
  12. Web site: Waikato Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  13. Web site: - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  14. Web site: Puna Whiti - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  15. Web site: Ward OPR1 - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  16. Web site: Braemar Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  17. Web site: Te Kuiti Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  18. Web site: Matariki Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  19. Web site: Rhoda Read Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  20. Web site: Thames Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  21. Web site: Tokoroa Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  22. Web site: Taumarunui Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  23. Web site: Southern Cross Hospital Hamilton - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  24. Web site: River Ridge East Birth Centre - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  25. Web site: Anglesea Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  26. Web site: Waterford Birth Centre - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  27. Web site: Hospice Waikato - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  28. Web site: Te Awamutu Birthing - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  29. Web site: Birthcare Huntly - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.
  30. Web site: Tamahere Hospital and Healing Centre - Ministry of Health Profile . health.govt.nz . Ministry of Health.

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