4. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What mark out of 10 would he give the Government’s ability to meet New Zealanders’ need for elective surgery?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
A mark of 5½—higher than was ever the case under the previous National Government. New Zealand’s health system scores a pass mark because it is a good health system staffed by a dedicated workforce that we can all be proud of. The reason the mark ought not to be more than 5½ is that our workforce continually seeks improvement, and this Government continually supports that attitude. We will never be complacent.
Can the Minister think of anything worse for the mother of an 8-year-old boy with a brain aneurysm that, if it ruptures, can lead to brain damage, major stroke, or death, than—and how can he countenance—a health system that sees two long-awaited surgery dates for this boy cancelled?
The member should think twice before bringing individual cases to the House. His colleagues do not do so. They give me information privately in order that I can progress issues. This issue is being progressed.
Ann HartleyI have seen one report that directs public hospitals to manipulate elective surgery thresholds to conceal from the public growth in waiting lists. This was not just a report; it was a direct order from a former Minister of Health, Bill English.
What would he say to the mother of this 8-year-old boy as she tries to explain to her son why his operations are being cancelled?
I will not speak in a public arena about a private case unless the person involved puts his or her name in the public arena first.
Why is it taking so long for kids like this boy to get this vitally needed surgery, yet if the brain aneurysm did erupt he would get the operation, all right, but at the risk of brain damage, a stroke, or death?
I will say again that this case has been raised with me privately by two of the member’s colleagues, who have been in discussions with my office yesterday and last night. I do not feel it is ethical for me to put a lot of personal detail into the public arena, but if I were to do so, it would change the context of the member’s position significantly.
How would he answer the mother’s question that surely it would be cheaper and safer to operate on her son in a controlled environment rather than in an emergency situation?
I will say again that this is an issue that has more than one side to it. I will not put the other side in the House because I do not think that is an appropriate thing to do, but I urge the member to please get across all of the detail of this case; he can get it from his colleagues, who understand it better than he does.
Can the Minister please explain why another 143 people have been promised neurosurgery by the Auckland District Health Board but are still waiting and worrying after 6 long months?
Auckland City Hospital has gone through a very significant transformation in recent times, and this has been shown particularly in the area of cardiac surgery and elsewhere. The member’s colleague breathlessly raised some minutes in respect of Auckland surgery, just 2 days ago. Those minutes were 3½ months old. The response to those minutes has been that an action plan has been developed, and it is now partially implemented.