The Role of a PHO

The first priority of Partnership Health Canterbury Te Kei o Te Waka is to provide general health care through family doctors and nurses. This type of care, known as ‘first level services’, is vital to health maintenance and disease prevention.

Some communities are less likely to take advantage of these first level services. The PHO communicates regularly with these communities and provides assistance such as flexible funding to make sure everyone is getting health care when they need it.

Partnership Health Canterbury also supports a healthy lifestyle to reduce preventable illness. The PHO assists individuals and communities to quit smoking and ensure proper nutrition and exercise.

Finally, a special programme called CarePlus provides extra assistance to some patients with multiple chronic or severe health problems.

Visit your general practice team to find out more about how you can benefit from these services.