District health board

District Health Board

The District Health Board (DHB) (pronunciation: /ˈdɪstrɪkt hɛlθ bɔːrd/), is a type of health care organization in certain countries like New Zealand and Scotland. The etymology of the term is straightforward, with "district" referring to a specific geographical area, "health" indicating the focus on healthcare services, and "board" denoting the governing body.

Function

A District Health Board is responsible for providing or funding the provision of health services in their district. This includes hospital services, primary care services, and public health services.

Structure

The structure of a District Health Board typically includes a board of directors, a chief executive officer, and various departments responsible for different aspects of healthcare provision. The board of directors is usually appointed by the Minister of Health and includes both elected and appointed members.