Outgoing Lakes DHB Chair Deryck Shaw wants people to consider standing for the DHB in the October elections so they can contribute to improving the health and wellbeing of their local communities.

Deryck Shaw says the Lakes DHB communities need committed people with a range of skills, backgrounds and experiences. And most importantly, he says the DHB needs people interested in the governance role who have a strong understanding of the Lakes district communities.

He says people who have an ability to collaborate and work with iwi/Maori, health organisations such as PHOs, service providers and social sector agencies will find health governance rewarding.

Deryck Shaw says Lakes DHBs is quite a complex organisation, delivering health services through its Rotorua and Taupo hospitals, and also planning and contracting for a wide range of community based services.

'It would be helpful for interested candidates to have experience in the health and / or social sectors, however good knowledge of what governance is, and how to monitor and ensure financial performance and service delivery, are really important.

'Being a DHB Board member is a rewarding and valuable experience, but it does have its challenges. Some 35 per cent of the Lakes DHB population is Maori and our Māori communities experience poorer health outcomes. At the same time we are facing increased demand for services, a growing and ageing population, emerging technologies and workforce and stresses and strains.

"What this all means is that we need people who can support our DHB to help to drive change to improve health outcomes for our population."

Deryck Shaw is strongly encouraging those people who think they have the right skills and experience to think about standing for election. He says Board members are usually appointed to one or two subcommittees of the Board and are required to attend these, along with 11 full Board meetings a year. Boards are ultimately accountable to the Minister of Health.

Nominations for elected Lakes DHB Board members close in a week's time at noon on Friday 16 August 2019.
Deryck Shaw is stepping down as Chair of Lakes DHB this year, after nine years in the role. He was a Ministerial appointment to the DHB in 2009.