Advisory groups

Local and Technical Advisory Groups provide Portfolio Managers with valuable insight to assist with planning and funding decisions. The members of these groups have strong connections to the community, health providers and in-depth knowledge and/or experience in their particular field.

The current groups are:

The Child and Youth Technical Advisory Group

Many child health problems can only be properly prevented or managed when families, various community and non-health agencies work together. This group has senior representatives from key children’s agencies focussed on finding ways to achieve a more holistic approach. See the list of members

Immunisation Advisory Group

A sub-group of the Child and Youth TAG, this group provides advice on immunisation. It focuses specific expertise on ways to achieve the National immunisation targets – these are incorporated into the District Annual Plan (pdf) on page 29. Read more about the national immunisation targets on the Ministry of Health website.

Population Ageing Technical Advisory Group

This group provides expert technical advice to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board and SmartGrowth regarding: policy, planning, and service development to best meet the needs of older people and ageing communities, now and in the future.

It includes members from key stakeholder groups such as Grey Power, Age Concern and SmartGrowth.

Diabetes Technical Advisory Group

An important piece of work for this advisory group in 2008 is planning based on the results of the recent stock-take of diabetes services. The Technical Advisory Group works closely with the Local Diabetes Team, a regional group that monitors services and promotes diabetes awareness.

Cancer Technical Advisory Group

This new group’s first task will be to consider how best to implement the cancer control action plan. Timing is ideal with the appointment of a local oncologist, the commissioning of two cancer centres, and strong collegial links to specialist services in Waikato.

Healthy Eating Healthy Action Steering Group

This group includes representatives of the three partner agencies. It sets direction for the Board's HEHA activities. A Regional HEHA Interagency Group helps to coordinate activities across the Midland region and a Healthy Living Group implements the programme amongst the 2700 staff at the District Health Board.

Pacific Islands Advisory Group

This group comprises people representing the Pacific Island community and provides advice to the DHB about their local communities’ health needs.