Three project managers will join Midland DHBs' shared services agency HealthShare to support the region's recently approved clinical work programmes.

The Minister of Health Tony Ryall this month approved Midland's <a href="http://www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/page/pageid/2145849563/Midland_DHBs">regional services plan</a> saying the five district health boards in the region had laid a solid foundation from which substantial regional integration was expected.

Regional integration is a key priority for Mr Ryall.

"DHBs working collaboratively within regions is about ensuring services are delivered in a clinically sustainable and financially viable way to meet the needs of the region's populations," he told Midland lead chief executive Craig Climo in a letter.

The three new project managers and the area they will work in are:

Belinda Macfie - Maternity and Rural Health

Jane Ireland - Radiology, Cardiology and Health of Older People

Leonie Pritchard - Elective Services

The project managers will make contact with the network and action group chairs and other key stakeholders over the next few weeks to progress the 2012-13 work programmes.

Diane Penney will continue with the regional <a href="http://www.waikatodhb.govt.nz/page/pageid/2145869954">Acute Coronary Syndrome</a> project via Waikato DHB.

Philippa Edwards will continue to provide analytical support across all work streams.

Cathy Taylor, who led the regional services plan project, will continue to facilitate all plan reporting, the steering group and the maternity, rural health, stroke and renal networks and action groups until all of the project managers are on board.