Case Study
Revisiting the Strategy for MidCentral District Health

- Industry: Health
- Expertise: Strategic Planning
Reconnecting with the why of an organisation helping people across New Zealand.
The New Zealand MidCentral District Health Board (DHB) funds and provides a range of health and disability services to around 178,000 people living in MidCentral’s district of the central North Island of New Zealand. MidCentral DHB employs over 2,500 people to carry out their work.

At A Glance

The Challenges
What was important to achieve?

MidCentral DHB is responsible for funding health services and monitoring contracts in areas like mental health and addiction, primary, secondary, and tertiary health. In 2015, when the incoming CEO assessed the organisation, she found it timely to refresh the organisation’s strategy.

The Keogh Approach
Delivering better outcomes for the community.

Keogh set out to assist MidCentral DHB to build a Transformation Strategy and develop a roadmap to better meet the needs of the community. This required engagement with the Board and Executives, and the formation of cross-functional task force teams.
More of what we did
- Engaging with the Board and Executive Team to build focus and alignment.
- Working closely with the CEO and Executive Team to identify the key strategic imperatives for the organisation.
- Supporting the organisation to work with their internal and external stakeholders to define the values and behaviours that would help them successfully implement their strategy. Learn how to execute your strategy here.
- Co-creating a Structural Transformation plan for the entire Health Board, moving from traditional function-oriented teams, to a responsive, cross-functional and outcome-focused organisation design.
- Empowering staff to take a proactive role in shaping the Culture of their own organisation.
Summary of the Results
An integrated service model to put the needs of the community first.

From the work that Keogh performed, MidCentral DHB made significant changes in the organisation, breaking down functional barriers that Health Boards in New Zealand traditionally faced. This led to the development of an integrated service model that puts the needs of the community first.
Since this approach was jointly established with stakeholders, MidCentral DHB has seen a re-energised Executive Leadership Team. Across the organisation there has been an increased commitment to deliver on agreed outcomes for the community.
The transformational effects from the work continue to filter through the organisation.
Keogh Cases
- Community
- Leadership Development, Strategic Planning