Photo: Supplied
Eight medical experts have been named to lead four new national clinical networks, aimed at reducing regional differences in healthcare access.
Te Whatu Ora/ Health New Zealand and Te Aka Whai Ora/ the Māori Health Authority are in the early stages of setting up networks across a broad range of medical specialities to try to make care more consistent.
The first four networks are for stroke, trauma, cardiac and renal health.
The clinical networks would be "critical to delivering a better, fairer health system for all people in all communities", Te Whatu Ora said in a statement today.
One job for the stroke network might be tackling a five-fold variation across the country in access to emergency stroke treatment, Te Whatu Ora said.
They might also work on improving access for cardiac surgery, radiological diagnostics and renal dialysis.
"Our goal is to ensure inclusive and diverse leadership of the National Clinical Networks to support the delivery of equitable access to high quality health services across primary, community and secondary care no matter who people are, or where they live," said Te Whatu Ora interim chief clinical officer Richard Sullivan.
All but one of the eight new network heads work in the North Island.
Five other networks will be set up for radiation oncology, ophthalmology, infection services, critical care, and radiology.