About Us - Terms of Reference

About Us
Terms of Reference
The National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability (the Committee) is established under Section 13 of the New Zealand Health and Disability Act 2000 (NZHDA). The role of the Committee is to advise the Minister of Health on:

The kinds, and relative priorities, of public health services, personal health services, and disability support services that should, in the Committee’s opinion, be publicly funded
Other matters relating to public health, including personal health and regulatory matters relating to public health
Any other matters that the Minister specifies by notice to the Committee.

Its terms of reference are as follows:

Accountability
The Committee is established by and accountable to the Minister of Health. This includes accountability for:

The content and quality of its work programme and advice to the Minister
Operating within the Public Finance Act and State Sector Act.

Key Tasks
The Committee’s task, in line with the requirements of Section 13 of the NZHDA, is to provide advice to the Minister of Health on the quality and mix of services that should, in the Committee’s opinion, be publicly funded. In doing so, the Committee should, having regard to available resources, advise the Minister on measures that would deliver the greatest benefit to the health of the population, and groups of the population, with regard to groups at risk of disadvantage.

The Committee is also, in line with the requirements of Section 13 of the NZHDA, to advise the Minister on other matters relating to public health, including personal health matters and regulatory matters relating to public health, and any other matters that the Minister specifies.

In fulfilling these tasks, the Committee will promote wider discussion of key strategies and changes relating to publicly funded health services.

The Committee has established a Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC). The PHAC’s task is to provide independent advice to the Minister on public health issues, the promotion of public health, the monitoring of public health and any other matters that the National Health Committee specifies.

Working Arrangements
After discussion with the Ministry of Health, the Committee will agree a work programme with the Minister of Health. A Committee Secretariat, comprising a core of permanent staff led by a Programme Manager and sufficient to meet the Committee’s statutory requirements, will be based in the Ministry of Health.

In developing its advice the Committee should:

Adopt an evidence-based approach
Consult with any members of the public, persons involved in the provision of health services and services for people with disabilities, and other persons that the Committee considers appropriate
Provide the Minister with advance notice of any media statements or reports to be published
Ensure its advice is published and widely available
Consult with District Health Boards on their ability, within the context of their budget constraints, to implement the Committee’s advice to the Minister, and be explicit about any extra costs in its advice
Take account of the annual accountability cycle of the District Health Boards and the need for s ufficient lead time for the implementation of new policies.

Terms of Committee Members
Members of the Committee and the PHAC shall be appointed for a term of up to three years. Members shall be eligible to serve a second consecutive term to allow for continuity and full use of increased experience and knowledge. Members may, at the discretion of the Minister of Health, be eligible to serve an additional period of up to 12 months to allow for continuity of projects. Members shall have staggered retiring dates to ensure a degree of continuity.

Members may, at any time, resign their office by advising the Minister of Health in writing.

Performance Measures
The Committee, and the PHAC of the Committee, will be effectively meeting their key tasks when they provide relevant and timely advice to the Minister of Health based on research, analysis and consultation with appropriate groups and organisations.

The Committee must achieve its agreed work programme.

The Committee must stay within its allocated budget.

Reporting Requirements
The Committee is required to:

Report at least once a year to the Minister of Health setting out its advice on the quality and mix of services that should, in the Committee’s opinion, be publicly funded and on other matters relating to public health, including personal health matters and regulatory matters relating to public health, and any other matters that the Minister specifies, in line with the requirements of Section 13 of the NZHDA
Keep a record of all Committee meetings which outline the issues discussed, and include a clear note of any decisions taken or recommendations made.

Frequency of Meetings
The timing and frequency of meetings will be determined by the tasks the Committee is obliged to fulfil. The Chair will convene all meetings.