About
Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) are responsible for organising and providing essential primary care services to an enrolled population in a region.
Some services are delivered by the PHO and most are delivered by contracted providers - general practice teams and community providers.
There are 30 PHOs in New Zealand funded by Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ). Christchurch PHO is one of three PHOs in the Canterbury region.
PHOs vary in size and structure and are not for profit. The first PHOs were established in 2002 in response to the 2001 Primary Health Care Strategy. Christchurch PHO has 7 member practices that provide services to an enrolled population of 56,000 in urban Christchurch.
PHOs roles are to:
- Coordinate and deliver primary health services to provide care and treatment when people are ill.
- Help people stay healthy and promote healthy lifestyles.
- Support access to screening and prevention services.
- Provide services to those people in the community who have poor health, and those who are missing out on health care.
- Work to reduce health disparity, promote equity and improve access to health care.
Funding allows PHOs to:
- subsidise doctor’s visits
- reduce prescription costs
- run health promotion programmes
- develop innovative ways of improving the uptake of services to reduce health inequalities in their populations
More detailed information on the structure and funding of PHOs can be found on the Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) website.
Why enrol at one of the CPHO general practices?
Enrolment:
- Ensures that the practice has the information that they need to make everything more convenient for you when you visit.
- Confirms the relationship that you have with your general practice team and means that you nominate them to as your regular health care provider.
- Assists the PHO to build better health services that are tailored to your needs and those of your family and community.
- Means that the general practice team are responsible for contacting you about your health care, like follow up appointments.
How do I Enrol?
Enrolment is voluntary.
You will need to fill out an enrolment form, available from the general practice receptionist, and may be asked for additional information that will confirm your eligibility to receive subsidised health care.
If you are already enrolled at another practice and you wish to change to a new practices, the doctor will request that any medical records be transferred over to the new practice.
How long does my enrolment last?
Enrolment lasts for three years from the date of enrolment.
If you have not seen the Doctor you are enrolled with, within a three year period, your practice will contact you to confirm your enrolment.
If you do not reconfirm your enrolment within three years your enrolment will expire.
If you are travelling overseas and intend to be out of the country for more than six months change your contact details or move to another practice please let your medical practice know so that they can update your enrolment status.
Privacy and Confidentiality
All general practices have to abide by the regulations set out in the Health Information Privacy Code 1994.
To ensure that you get the best care possible some information (excluding things that you request remain confidential and your patient file) may be shared with other health organisations including:
- Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) for funding purposes
- Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) to help with planning and funding of health services.
Sharing of information assists:
- Christchurch PHO to design and implement health services that meet the needs of their enrolled population
- The general practice to coordinate your care and to claim for government subsidies on your behalf which may pay for some of your care.
Board and Clinical Governance Information
The PHO is governed by a Board of Directors led by Chair, Dr Jason Pryke.
The Clinical Governance Group advises the Board about best practice quality and safety standards for clinical programmes and patient care.
Board and Clinical Governance Group meetings
Clinical Governance 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm
Board 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
General rule
Board meetings are held eleven times a year on the first Monday of the month, unless it falls on a public holiday in which case an alternative Monday is determined.
Clinical Governance Group (CGG) meetings are held six times a year on the second Monday of every second month, unless it falls on a public holiday in which case an alternate Monday is determined.
3rd February 2025 BOARD
17th February 2025 CGG
3rd March 2025 BOARD
7th April 2025 BOARD
14th April 2025 CGG
5th May 2025 BOARD
9th June 2025 BOARD
16th June 2025 CGG
7th July 2025 BOARD
4th August 2025 BOARD
18th August 2025 CGG
1st September 2025 BOARD
6th October 2025 BOARD
20th October 2025 CGG
3rd November 2025 includes AGMs BOARD
1st December 2025 BOARD
15th December 2025 CGG
Contact Christchurch PHO Office Administrator/Board Secretariat for further information
Board and Clinical Governance Group Members
Clinical Governance Group (CGG) and/or Board
| Body | Name | Role |
| CGG | Dr Michael Shaw | GP Representative |
| CGG | Dr Ruth MacAskill | GP Representative |
| CGG | Joanne Comper | Clinical Pharmacist Representative |
| CGG | Rachel Brennan | Practice Nurse Representative |
| CGG | Kirsten Carey | Practice Nurse Representative |
| CGG & Board | Dr Jason Pryke | GP Representative and Board Chair |
| CGG & Board | Ana Verdult | Māori Representative and Board Deputy Chair |
| CGG & Board | Dr Tearlach MacLean | GP Representative |
| Board | Michelle Turrall | Māori Representative |
| Board | Dr Melanie Coker | Community Representative |
| Board | Dr Danielle Brown | GP Representative |
| Board | Dr Geraldine Wilson | GP Representative |
| Board | Gemma Bradford | Practice Nurse Representative |