The 2016 HealthPathways Conference opened with a traditional Maori welcome and keynote addresses that demonstrate the strong partnership between primary and secondary care that’s the foundation of the whole of system change in Canterbury.

After being officially welcomed to the conference with a Mihi led by Hector Matthews, CDHB Executive Director – Māori and Pacific Health, delegates were welcomed by HealthPathways Chief Implementation Advisor Andy Froggatt. He talked about the theme of the conference – HealthPathways as a tool for supporting whole of system change.

He made the point that the true value of a HealthPathways programme can only be found when its connected with other programmes of innovation, instead of being used as an isolated tool.

"This word community always fascinates me. It's sometimes misappropriated by people, but it implies things are shared and integrated," he said.

"Communities are often in name only, they are put there so it must be. But we are part of a growing community that will soon cover 25 million people. It doesn't mean we're all doing the same thing, it means we're using our strengths in a joint commitment to improve lives.

"It's a credit to everyone in the HealthPathways community that even with the growth of the community, it has only made us stronger, in theory and in practice."

Andy's welcome was followed by the opening keynote address from David Meates, CDHB Chief Executive Officer, and Carolyn Gullery, CDHB General Manager, Planning & Funding.

Outlining Canterbury’s nine year evolution of its “joined-up” health system, they detailed some of the achievements that have been made in breaking down silos and enabling whole of system change.

They pointed to examples of improved care in various programmes, including aged residential care (in which the average stay is now 28 months, down from six years in 2007-2008), that have been achieved by creating a more integrated health system using enabling tools like HealthPathways.

Canterbury insight: David Meates, CDHB Chief Executive Officer

Both Carolyn and David touched on the ingredients and factors that contribute to whole of system change, with David picking up on the power of belief. He pointed out that Canterbury's health system had no unique characteristics which made whole of system change more viable than anywhere else.

"Going back to that fragmented, disjointed, somewhat broken system, Canterbury was not unique. We just happened to be in this point in time with a number of things getting in the way of doing the right thing, but we had so many people committed to doing the right thing."

Looking to the future: Carolyn Gullery, CDHB General Manager, Planning & Funding.

Looking forward, Carolyn discussed future challenges involved with health system integration with social services and other public services that touch on people's lives.

"It all starts with trust," she said.

"It's about collective ownership, about all of us owning the outcomes, and that's what we've done in the health system. But there's no reason why we can't go broader. We're all dealing with the same people, and the same vulnerable outcomes."

Is it different or better?: Vince Barry, Chief Executive, Pegasus Health.

Finally, Pegasus Health Chief Executive Vince Barry talked about the collaborative role his primary care organisation played in the CDHB’s revamping of the Canterbury health system.

He detailed a patient case study he dubbed The Life of Brian, of a man born in 1926 who suffered from arthritis, angina, and other chronic conditions. He asked what his health system experience would be if he was born today.

Vince went through all the changes and improvements in care "Brian" and his family would have received over his lifetime, including improved information sharing that would have limited the disruptive effects of various physical and mental health issues on his quality of life.

"Is it different or is it better? It is different because we live in a different time, but it's also better and I feel privileged to work in a system that could deliver better care to Brian."