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About Burklee Farm

We are drystock farmers (sheep and beef) on 1200 acres (500 ha) in West Waikato, New Zealand. We have owned the property in an equity partnership since February 2008.

Get hold of us: malcolmnsally@wnation.net.nz

Monday, 30 September 2013

Standing for the Waikato District Health Board

It is time for local body elections and I have decided to stand for the Waikato District Health Board.  There are 20 people standing for 7 elected positions.

The Waikato District Health Board covers a large area, with it being more rural than New Zealand, with 60% of its population living outside main urban areas.  Currently, on the board, there is only 1 elected board member representing those outside of Hamilton.  I believe it is important to have rural communities fairly represented on the board.

Living and working in rural Waikato, I have a passion for ensuring health care services are available to those that live in rural communities in a way that is sustainable - financially and socially.

If elected my 6 main priorities are:

1.   Ensure rural health services to rural families and communities meet their needs and are sustainable.
2.   Finding innovative ways to make efficiency gains across all aspects of the DHBs operations and services.  With both costs and population rising the need to find innovative ways to meet budget and population needs will increase. 

3.      Integration to ensure primary care needs match the diverseness of our people.  Our population is made up of 24% in low socio-economic (up 4% on the national average), 22% Maori, 3% Pacific, 7% Asian, 15% older than 65 and 36% younger than 24%. Going forward we are expecting an increase in the Maori and elderly population.

4.     Promotion of collaboration with neighbouring DHBs to provide care to parts of the region.  In order for Waikato DHB to achieve outcomes, collaboration is a fundamental way forward.

5.     To ensure there is a focus on quality and safety of the services offered.  Key performance indicators that allow us to monitor this on an on-going basis.
6.  Preventative health and eduction being fundamental.
My husband and I run a drystock (sheep & beef) hill country equity farming operation on 500 ha in West Waikato.  I have worked for 16 years in agri-business, more recently as an Agricultural Consultant for the Waikato/King Country area.

I have a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (first class honours) and have undertaken governance training through the Institute of Directors, of which I am a current member.  Recently, I was a finalist in the Waikato 2013 Aspiring Director Award.  I have a good understanding of finance and strategic planning, strong team work and communication skills, able to critique situations, ask questions and progress to an end point.
Whilst I have not worked directly in the Health Sector, I believe this enables me to provide an independent view point, and is not tainted by any involvement as many of the others have.  In saying that, it is important for an effective board to have a diverse range of skill. 

I am a mother of 1 and am on the Te Akau School Board of Trustees.
A vote for Sally Lee is a vote for independence, professionalism and a female, rural perspective.

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