A return towards decentralisation is being painted as Health New Zealand's next chapter.

The Government's reverting to giving hospitals more control - letting them decide staffing, budgets, and service delivery from July.

It's adamant it's not a return to District Health Boards, with planning still done nationally.

Acting chief executive Andrew Brant says Health NZ's finances are looking good and it's delivering more, but this ensures improvement continues.

He explained the key change is bringing the operating model much more into the frontline - and communities into decisions.

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