The Waikato District Health Board is inviting the community to offer feedback on its new draft strategic plan.

With the current plan now ten years old, the board approved a refresh of the strategy to ensure it's heading in the right direction, focusing its resources and making the most of opportunities.

The board has a specific remit to plan, fund and provide health and disability services for the people who live in the Waikato. It also has to promote, protect and improve its population's health and wellbeing. Any feedback needs to relate to these core responsibilities.

The draft strategy aligns with the New Zealand Health Strategy and is informed by international trends, Statistics NZ data, and analysis of the Waikato population.

Waikato DHB chair Bob Simcock says the current strategy dates back to 2006 and much has changed since then.

'We are facing increasing health demands from an aging population and large numbers of patients with long-term conditions like diabetes.

'It's really important that we prioritise the competing demands on our resources so we can meet these huge healthcare challenges.

'New technology is bringing new opportunities and we want to make sure we are in a position to make the most of these and really make a difference to the health of our community.”

The draft strategy has six key strategic imperatives including achieving health equity for high needs populations, ensuring quality health services for all and providing people centred services.

The strategy also includes delivering effective and efficient care and services, becoming a centre of excellence in teaching, training and research and developing productive partnerships.

The draft strategy is now on the board's website, with the community asked to submit its feedback by April 15. During this period the board will also host workshops, run an online survey and an email address for people to express their views.

'We really value the input from our community into the direction our organisation is heading, so I would encourage everyone to have a look at our draft strategy and let us know if we are on the right track.

'We are particularly interested in your views on the priorities under the six strategic imperatives,” says Bob.

For more information plus link to the online survey visit the Waikato District Health Board's Strategic Refresh 2016 webpage.