Overview
Dedication to health
– Brian Pointon
This month we farewell Planning & Funding
Portfolio Manager Brian Pointon, who is
retiring after a career in health that began
in the 70s. On behalf of the team, colleague
Lesley Watkins says he’ll be sorely missed and
reflects on his career.
Chief Executive, Helen Mason.
As the year draws to a close, it’s good to have the opportunity
to reflect on the successes of the year that’s been, and start
contemplating what we want to achieve in the year ahead.
This issue of Checkup celebrates some of the big milestones
which have been achieved this year. These include:
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Significant improvement on our health targets.
Successfully hosting our first cohort of 5th year Medical
Students.
The Board endorsing our Strategic Health Services plan –
our road map to the future of health services in the Bay.
Hone Hurihanganui’s Engaging Effectively with Māori,
attended by more than 630 staff.
The evolution of our CARE values – reflecting our desire to
truly be “all-one-team”.
So many staff being engaged in and leading positive
change, for example in Peri-operative services and with
initiatives like “Let’s get moving”.
Substantial progress on the Midland DHB E-space program.
The first anniversary of the new home and community
support services model.
The launch of the Integrated Community Nursing Project.
The completion of Project Waka.
The response to the Edgecumbe and Eastern Bay of
Plenty floods.
Thank you to all of you for your hard work, and passion
for improving the care and services we provide to our
communities. Deeply appreciated.
With a Bachelor of
Science in Geology,
Brian started his working
life as a Production
Supervisor for Mobil Oil.
Six years later, he
moved into the health
arena in October 1979
working for what was
then known as the
Department of Health in
Wellington. During this
time, as the Secretary
of the Children’s Health
Camps Board, the
Princess of Wales
Children’s Health camp
was built in Rotorua. As the Prince and Princess of Wales and
Prince William were visiting at the time, it was hoped that Diana,
Princess of Wales might open the camp. Instead, the facility was
opened by Sir Robert Muldoon. A letter from the Princess of Wales
was read out during the ceremony. Brian had added to his list of
skills “letter writer to royalty”.
Brian moved to the Northland District office of the Department
of Health in 1983 and within two years Northland became the
first Area Health Board as part of the Department of Health
re-structure. Brian moved into a role which has now become
associated with him – as Regional Manager for Community Health
Services including public health, social work, early community
mental health and district nursing to name but a few of the teams
he managed.
As we look to the year ahead, we will be focusing on
progressing our Strategic Health Services Plan, with a particular
emphasis on helping our communities to Stay Well and to
Live Well. Part of living well, is living well towards the end of
life. Future Care Planning, which helps us provide patient
and whānau centred care towards the end of life will be a big
focus. We’ll also be working to further improve our health target
performance with a particular emphasis on immunisation. In 1994, Brian was on the move again. This time to Whakatāne
to take up the role of Regional Manager of Toi te Ora which was
made up of the three public health units in the Western Bay,
Eastern Bay and Rotorua. In 2004 Brian again took on a “first
of” role becoming the first Public Health Portfolio Manager in the
newly developed Planning & Funding team of the Bay of Plenty
District Health Board. This role was directly funded by the Ministry
of Health to ensure a population health focus in the Planning &
Funding of services.
Our four strategic priorities remain important in the year ahead.
We hope to see even more of our teams across all health
providers engage with us on improving services. Everyone has
a part to play. Everyone agrees that Brian has been a most formidable advocate
for a population health focus and approaches now accepted as
everyday such as working with other community and government
agencies were pioneered by him in his current role.
I hope that all of you have the opportunity to spend time with
family and friends over the festive season. Nga manaakitanga
– take care. Brian is most proud of the following achievements:
• Healthy Housing – Brian has overseen the funding of the
insulation of between 1300 – 1500 houses across the Bay of
Plenty.
• Rheumatic fever – BOPDHB under Brian’s leadership started
rheumatic fever prevention services in 2008 which was before
any mandated and funded Government initiatives.
Helen
Our front cover – Anja Theron, Ataylia White, Patrick White and Helene Stols
at the Staff Recognition Celebration.
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