The national health entity (including Health Shared Services programmes, National Health IT Board, Health Quality & Safety Commission, National Health Committee, PHARMAC, Health Workforce New Zealand and Health Promotion Agency) priority initiatives for the 2015/16 financial year continue to be a vital part of the consideration of the core planning documents.

The process for the identification of priority initiatives was the same as for the 2014/15 financial year.

The national health priorities were subjected to a Quality Assurance process, and finalised priorities and actions for inclusion in 2015/16 DHB Annual Plans were shared with DHB Chief Executives as soon as they were agreed with the Minister.