HEAL802 Decision-Making in Healthcare Services Assignment 1, 2026 | AIS

HEAL802 Assignment 1

Course: HEAL802 Decision-Making in Healthcare Services
Stream: 243-251
Due: 4.00pm, Thursday August 20th 2026 (soft copy submission through Moodle  only)

Points to Note:

There are 100 marks for this assignment which is 30% of the final course grade.

1. The word limit for this assignment is 3,000 words (+/-10%), excluding references, figures, tables, and appendixes.
   
   
2. Ensure you follow academic citation and referencing requirements, as failure to do so may invoke penalties. Use APA (7th ). A reference list is required.
   
   
3. You are also required to reference the use of any tools / software / application used. This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to paraphrase or proofread, which requires a statement where applicable.
   
   
4. Upon submission your assignment will be checked for copied materials as well as the use of AI (artificial intelligence), with penalties to be applied where appropriate and if not appropriately referenced.
   
   
5. You may submit your assignment as a draft submission (Moodle/Turnitin) to check similarity prior to making your final submission.
   
   
6. Late submissions incur a 5% penalty (5 marks) for each 24-hour period up to 96 hours (after that time, your mark will be recorded as zero).
   
   
7. An extension may be granted if, within the prescribed timeframe, you submit an ‘Assignment Extension Application’ form with supporting documentation (e.g., a medical certificate) to the Programme Administration Unit.

Learning Outcomes

As set out in your Course Outline, this assignment requires you to fulfil the following:    

LO1: Develop specialist knowledge and a deep understanding of the New Zealand healthcare environment and policy to provide effective leadership in a healthcare environment.

LO2: Determine ways to ensure inclusivity and develop solutions to contribute to healthcare operations.

Assessment 1: Legislation and Policy Analysis Report (Weight: 30%) 

Assignment Description

In this assignment, you will analyse the impact of the New Zealand Health Strategy (2023) on healthcare management practices, focusing on its implications for decisionmaking in public hospitals. This assessment will evaluate your understanding of the healthcare regulatory environment and your ability to apply critical analysis to assess the implications of legislative and policy changes on healthcare management practices.

Scenario

In recent years, New Zealand has implemented several significant healthcare policies aimed at improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to services. One such policy is the New Zealand Health Strategy (2023), which outlines a vision for a sustainable and integrated health system. As a healthcare management professional, you have been tasked with analysing the impact of this legislation on the operations and management of a public hospital in New Zealand.

Task

Your report should analyse the New Zealand Health Strategy and its implications for healthcare management.

Please ensure your work meets the following guidelines: 

1. Overview of the New Zealand Health Strategy (2023) (20 marks)

Provide a detailed overview of the Strategy, including:

• Key goals and priorities.
• Rationale for its implementation.
• Identification of key stakeholders and their roles.

2. Impact Analysis on Healthcare Management Processes (20 marks)

Analyse how the Strategy affects various management processes, including:

• Service delivery and integration.
• Patient-centred care approaches.
• Health workforce development and training.
• Equity in health outcomes and access to services.
• Collaboration with external partners (e.g., community organisations, NGOs).

3. Evaluation of Challenges and Opportunities (20 marks)

Evaluate the challenges and opportunities arising from the implementation of the Strategy, considering:

• Operational efficiency and changes in workflows.
• Inclusivity in decision-making.
• Technological requirements and infrastructure needs. Financial implications (e.g., funding for new initiatives, workforce training).

4. Discussion of Long-Term Effects (20 marks)

Discuss the potential long-term effects of the New Zealand Health Strategy on:

• The overall performance of public hospitals.
• Quality of care provided to patients.
• The health system’s reputation and public trust.

5. Recommendations for Implementation and Adaptation (15 marks)

Provide strategic recommendations for public hospitals to effectively implement and adapt to the New Zealand Health Strategy, addressing:

• Identified areas for improvement.
• Potential risks and how to mitigate them.
• Strategies to enhance inclusivity in healthcare decision-making.

6. Academic presentation and referencing (5 marks)

Your report should include the following:

Report structure and academic writing 

• A clear and relevant introduction
• A well-structured report using appropriate headings and logical flow
• Clear integration between sections
• A coherent conclusion that summarises and reflects on the analysis
• Professional academic writing style and clarity

Referencing, citations, and compliance 

• Accurate and consistent APA 7th edition in-text citations
• A correctly formatted APA 7 reference list
• Use of credible academic and professional sources
• Submission within the required word count range

Note: If you choose to analyse a real-world case, ensure that you maintain confidentiality and anonymity by not disclosing any sensitive or identifiable information about individuals or organisations involved.