Waikato District Health Board

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

Waikato District Health Board
Formation1 January 2001; 23 years ago (2001-01-01)
FounderNew Zealand Government
Dissolved1 July 2022; 2 years ago (2022-07-01)
Legal statusActive
PurposeDHB
ServicesHealth and disability services
Parent organization
Ministry of Health
Websitewww.waikatodhb.health.nz

History

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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

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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][3] 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

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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

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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.[9] The area can be adjusted through an Order in Council.[10]

Governance

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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,[11] they were replaced by Dr Karen Poutasi as Commissioner.[12] The minister had also appointed the chairperson and deputy-chair from the pool of eleven board members.[13]

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
2006339,189—    
2013359,310+0.83%
2018405,558+2.45%
Source: [14]

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.[14]

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.[14]

The percentage of people born overseas was 19.7, compared with 27.1% nationally.[14]

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.[14]

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.[14]

Hospitals

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Waikato Hospital campus

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Other public hospitals

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Other private hospitals

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Notes

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  1. ^ Rudman, Brian (13 February 2012). "Brian Rudman: Three health boards must marry and economise". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  2. ^ Moloney, Eoghan (18 May 2021). "Cyber attack similar to HSE breach cripples New Zealand district's health system". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Waikato DHB cyber attack: Group claims responsibility, says it has confidential patient details". The New Zealand Herald. 25 May 2021. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  4. ^ "Waikato DHB ransomware attack: Documents released online". Radio New Zealand. 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 6 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  5. ^ Manch, Thomas; Wilson, Libby (25 May 2021). "Waikato DHB scrambles to contain cyber attack, safety of patient data unclear". Stuff. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Waikato DHB still affected by cyber attack". Radio New Zealand. 15 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Health and disability system reforms". Ministry of Health. 5 July 2022. Archived from the original on 3 July 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  8. ^ 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 13 February 2023.
  9. ^ Public Health and Disability Act 2000, Schedule 1.
  10. ^ Public Health and Disability Act 2000, Section 19.
  11. ^ Macpherson, Dave (7 May 2019). "Waikato DHB Board sacking confirmed". Scoop News. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Commissioner appointed for Waikato DHB". The Beehive. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  13. ^ "District health boards". Ministry of Health. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "Statistical area 1 dataset for 2018 Census". Statistics New Zealand. March 2020. Waikato (DHB 05).
  15. ^ "Waikato Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  16. ^ "- Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  17. ^ "Puna Whiti - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  18. ^ "Ward OPR1 - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  19. ^ "Braemar Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  20. ^ "Te Kuiti Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  21. ^ "Matariki Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  22. ^ "Rhoda Read Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  23. ^ "Thames Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  24. ^ "Tokoroa Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  25. ^ "Taumarunui Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  26. ^ "Southern Cross Hospital Hamilton - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  27. ^ "River Ridge East Birth Centre - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  28. ^ "Anglesea Hospital - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  29. ^ "Waterford Birth Centre - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  30. ^ "Hospice Waikato - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  31. ^ "Te Awamutu Birthing - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  32. ^ "Birthcare Huntly - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.
  33. ^ "Tamahere Hospital and Healing Centre - Ministry of Health Profile". health.govt.nz. Ministry of Health.

References

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