If proposals for reshuffling the ministry move ahead, the team looking after primary care at the Ministry of Health will come under the patronage of the National Health Board.

According to last week's proposals, the primary healthcare team presently led by Danny Wu will be shifted from the sector capability and innovation directorate to the National Health Board, a separate business division within the ministry.

The board is chaired by Murray Horn, Director and Chair Telecom's Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Primary care is considered as "a critical player in the delivery of changes to models of care, managing demand-driven expenditure and access to hospital-based services".

Mr. Wu, Head of the Primary Care Team would be renamed "director primary health care" and would report directly to the National Director of the National Health Board, Chai Chuah, Former Chief Executive of Hutt Valley DHB.

The National Health Board is one of six groups, which would report to the Director-General of Health under the suggested new ministry structure.

Director-General, Stephen McKernan said that the health ministry is being restructured to enhance its performance, and to ensure that there is a stronger emphasis on action.

Mr. McKernan, said, "We need to be a world-class health ministry. Our strategy will need to…enable us to make tough decisions and/or implement difficult strategies rapidly and effectively".

The Ministry staff can submit written feedback on the proposals till 16 April.

Mr. McKernan will declare the final decision on the restructure in May and the new arrangement is likely to take effect from 1 July.