Ministry of Health strategic relationship framework
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has developed a strategic relationship framework with NGOs that other government agencies may find useful when developing relationships with community, voluntary and Māori organisations.
Agreement process
The process started as an NGO initiative, when a number of health and disability NGOs expressed a desire to work constructively with the MoH. The Ministry response was to host NGO meetings to discuss this. A working group was set up to improve the relationships and develop an agreement.
The agreement takes the form of a ‘written handshake’. It is not a formal document or contract – it is built on the intention of establishing a better relationship. The agreement included establishing the MoH NGO Desk to provide a single point of contact for NGOs.
MoH funding has been critical to support the activities of an elected working group (carrying out the executive functions of the forums), and for secretariat support.
Consultation process
The MoH Working Group initially invited a large number of NGOs (national, regional, and local) to attend a meeting to look at the agreement. About 40 attended the first meeting. The MoH did not worry too much about eligibility – they were keen to ensure that no one was left out. Participants at the first meeting decided to meet every six months.
The Working Group
The Working Group is made up of NGO representatives elected to work with particular MoH directorates: Māori; Pacific; Personal Health; Public Health; Mental Health and Disability. The Working Group ensures that issues identified as important by the NGO sector, or which emerge at twice-yearly NGO-MoH forums, are followed up with MoH.
The group meets regularly with MoH on the implementation of the Primary Health Care Strategy and the Primary Health Organisation (PHO) Development Taskforce, among other health initiatives. It is funded by MoH and administered by the chair of the group.
The Working Group works with MoH to set the agenda for each forum, as well as advancing the issues agreed at each forum.
Using forums to consult
Forums tend to concentrate on larger issues applicable to all health-linked NGOs. Most NGOs also have their own separate links with the relevant section of the MoH.
Developments in the relationship, including minutes of forum meetings, are posted on the MoH website.
The NGO forum has created a strong voice that the MoH is listening to, and it now has a momentum of its own. Attendance at forums is increasing.
Issues for NGOs
The forums and the Working Group have identified a number of issues affecting NGOs, some of which are outlined below.
Monitoring performance and quality
NGOs are concerned about overlapping audits and want them to be simpler. They want to be sure auditing is beneficial. The Working Group recognises this is an issue beyond the health sector if an NGO contracts with, or is funded by, other agencies. The first priority is to try to co-ordinate auditing within the health sector, for example, between the MoH and District Health Boards (DHBs).
Raising NGO status with DHBs
NGOs have also identified the need to make DHBs more aware of the crucial importance of NGOs. In response to this, the NGO Working Group gives presentations to DHBs outlining what the NGOs have to offer, how they see themselves in the health sector, and how DHBs and NGOs can work together.
Monitoring DHB treatment of NGOs
The Working Group developed a questionnaire for NGOs on their relationships with DHBs. The responses were sent to DHBs and used by them for monitoring DHB performance. The survey led to a series of meetings, which identified key areas for co-operation.
A follow-up survey on the relationship between NGOs and MoH was used as the basis for a series of meetings with MoH and its directorates.
NGO workforce development
Workforce issues remain a prime example of the capacity and capability difficulties facing NGOs and DHBs. In 2006, workforce research undertaken by the Working Group was published:
