Northland DHB Public Health Unit

Public Service

Description

What is public health?

Public health is work to improve the health of communities and populations (or sections of the community) and reduce inequalities in health status. The focus of work activity may be in the social and physical environments in which we live, as well as on programmes to develop more healthy activities.

Referral Expectations

General Practitioners are legally obliged to notify diseases of public health importance to the Medical Officer of Health.

The on call Medical Officer of Health can be reached via the DHB switchboard (09) 430 4100, any time of the day or night for urgent notifications (e.g. measles, meningococcal disease and acute outbreaks).

For non-urgent diseases, please call the communicable disease administrator on (09) 430 4101, ext 7887 or Fax (09) 430 4498.

Document Downloads

Notifiable Diseases and How to Inform the Medical Officer of Health (PDF, 103.7 KB)

Visiting Hours

The Public Health Unit is open 8am-5pm Monday to Friday. To contact MOHs and staff after hours, in weekends and statutory holidays, please call the NDHB switchboard (09 430 4100) and ask for the on call staff.