Since PHOs were introduced, the funding of primary health care has increased.

Examples of this at Partnership Health include:

• All people enrolled are eligible for cheaper doctor’s visits and cheaper prescription medicines
• Specific programmes have been developed to promote health and prevent illnesses and  improve access to services
• Preventative programmes are aligned to enhance the work of primary health care providers
• High risk and deprived populations are now being actively targeted with primary health care
• Through Partnership Health the government now funds a range of primary health care services on a population basis, ensuring a set level of money is available each year to pay for primary health services for our community
• Partnership Health contracts with a variety of health care providers to ensure an holistic range of care services are available
• Providers of primary care are more integrated and comunity providers and GP teams are working more closely together
• PHOs take a popultion view and can plan ahead looking at the big picture

PHOs are aiming to introduce a more proactive approach to keeping New Zealanders healthy rather than simply reacting with treatment when they are ill. PHOs are charged with tackling the big issues of health such as lifestyle diseases and chronic on-going illness.