12. HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What advice has he got for doctors at Waitematā District Health Board, when they are forced to explain to patients that they are one of the 800 to be culled from waiting lists to avoid a $3 million penalty, the result of his ministry’s requirements?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Minister of Corrections) Link to this
I am assured by the chief executive of the Waitematā District Health Board that clinical managers at that district health board have thoroughly reviewed the clinical priority of each patient, case by case, who has been waiting for more than 6 months for a first specialist assessment. This review has included speaking with patients and, where appropriate, their general practitioners. Patients referred back to their general practitioners will be receiving active care, and may be reassessed and, if necessary, referred again for specialist referral.
What advice does he have for patients who notify the district health board that they cannot make their appointment but are told they cannot be rebooked before 30 September—as per an email that was distributed to clinicians yesterday—and because of this Minister’s heartless policies will now be sent back to their general practitioner, instead of getting the treatment they need?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
This is not new. There are sensible rules that recognise that if people do not keep their out-patient appointments, and if they just do not turn up, call, or make a time that suits them better, then it is not fair to have consultants’ time unused when other patients are indeed waiting to be seen.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. I do not think the Minister quite heard my question. It asked what advice he had for patients who notify the district health board, not those who just do not turn up.
Madam SPEAKERIt was not phrased as a question, in that sense. Would the member please rephrase her question, so that I can hear it again?
What advice does he have for patients who notify the district health board that they cannot make their appointment but are told they cannot be rebooked before 30 September—as clinicians were notified by email yesterday—and because of this Minister’s heartless policies will now be sent back to their general practitioner instead of receiving the treatment they need?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am aware of a leaked email, but I am not aware that those who have notified their specialists will be dropped. As I said, those who do not notify the district health board and do not turn up will be dropped.
Ann HartleyHow is the Government supporting the Waitematā District Health Board to increase its elective surgical throughput?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
The Minister has approved funding for the Waitematā District Health Board to complete one new theatre early next year and three more theatres in 2008-09.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
If the Minister considers the impact of waiting list performance measures on the waiting list cull, can he advise whether there will be more strike action by radiographers next week, and what action is under way by district health boards, or the Government, to avert it?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I cannot tell that member whether there will be strike action next week, but I understand that district health boards have handled the situation this week very well. I thank all those people who have cooperated.
What will be the total financial penalty imposed on the 21 district health boards if they fail to cull the required number of patients from their waiting lists by 30 September, and what service does he recommend hospitals cut to meet the cost of this “Hodgson’s choice”?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I am not aware of the cost of cuts to any district health boards, but I can say the estimate of $3 million relates to whether payments are made early in the month or later in the month. There is no intention at all to change the time that the money is paid to the Waitematā District Health Board. So the board will still have its $3 million, which that member claimed it would lose.
Hon Tony RyallI seek leave to table a leaked email from the Waitematā District Health Board, which means that if a patient has been waiting 5½ weeks for a specialist appointment, and then rings up and says he or she needs a 2-week delay because of a death in the family, that person will be culled from the waiting list.