About Us

Christchurch Health Organisation (PHO) provides the structure to effect the Governments vision for the provision of Primary Health Care Services (http://www.moh.govt.nz/primaryhealthcare).  That vision sees people being part of local primary health care services that improve their health, keep them well, are easy to access and coordinate their ongoing care.  Primary health care services focus on better health for a population and actively work to reduce health inequalities between different groups.

The Christchurch PHO is funded on an enrolled population basis through the Canterbury District Health Board to provide support for primary care patient services currently at General Practice level in Christchurch city.   Certain services are subsidised to improve access for identified sectors of the population.  Programmes and projects to improve access to primary medical care for identified disadvantaged groups are implimented.  Health promotion and information is provided to improve people’s knowledge and to encourage people to take responsibility for their own care. 

Christchurch PHO works with local communities and enrolled populations to identify and remove health inequalities; offers access to comprehensive services to improve, maintain and restore people’s health; coordinate care across service areas; develop the Primary Health Care workforce and continually improves quality using good information.

Christchurch PHO funds services to an enrolled population of approx 28,000 in the Christchurch city area, contracted General Practitioners Practice Nurse service providers. These numbers may grow in time and a wider range of service provision is planned. A Board of 8 appointed people currently governs the PHO. Composition of the Board reflects the Government’s objectives for PHOs to have input from the Community, Iwi/Maori, and Service providers.

The focus of the PHO is to ensure services, systems, communication and consultation processes are in place for future activities and strategies.