The Ministry of Health's newly updated Health Strategy will set a clear direction for the health system over the next 10 years.

Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says the strategy will guide changes in the health sector and lead the transformation to a more innovative, integrated and patient-centred approach.

Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman. File photo.

The new strategy covers five themes – people-powered, closer to home, value and high performance, one team, and smart system.

It also and includes a roadmap of actions to put the strategy in place over the next five years.

'We need a unified health system with shared values. We need better ways of working together to ensure all New Zealanders have access to the healthcare they need,” believes Jonathan.

'We want to see more services delivered in the community, a stronger push on prevention and self-management, as well as care closer to home.”

The Ministry of Health led the update and engaged extensively with the sector, social service providers and health users over the past year.

Jonathan says there will be a range of benefits under this new strategy.

They include better integration of health and social services, a well-equipped workforce supported by strong leaders and networks, more involvement in service design by users, and a system well placed to take advantage of emerging technologies.

To support the strategy's implementation, the Ministry of Health is now reorganising the way it operates to ensure clearer roles and accountabilities, plus reduce duplication.

The Health Strategy was last updated in 2000.

For more information or to view the new Health Strategy visit the Ministry of Health's website.