A new data-tracking tool for district health boards should speed up Maori health improvements and reduce inequalities against non-Maori health performance, a Maori health advocate hopes.
District health boards will now be held accountable for their performance in the Maori health sector thanks to The Maori Health Plan Monitoring Tool - brainchild of Bay of Plenty doctor George Gray.
The online tool at www.trendly.co.nz shows how each region compares to national health targets across 12 health areas, for Maori and non-Maori patients. Regions can be compared and videos from successful regions will allow other boards to learn from one another.
The tool was launched in Tauranga yesterday.
Maori health general manager for planning and funding Janet McLean said the new tool would show disparities between Maori and non-Maori health performance, allowing boards to see where their focus needed to be.