1. LESLEY SOPER (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What steps has he taken to improve the affordability, accessibility and quality of primary health care for all New Zealanders?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
Quite a few. On 1 July this Labour-led Government completed the roll-out of cheaper doctors’ fees, halving the cost of going to the doctor, and lowering the cost of most prescription medicines from $15 to $3. We know that means New Zealanders will seek help from their general practitioner or other primary health care provider earlier than previously. Last month I doubled the number of funded places for general practitioner training, and last week I announced a $6 million innovation fund to help general practitioners and nurses to spread the remarkable innovations that are already under way.
Can New Zealanders be confident that they will continue to access affordable and quality primary health care?
The answer to that question is no and yes. The reason it is no is that the National Party still needs to clarify its position on low fees and low prescription charges. It is on record as both supporting improvements and opposing them. The answer is also yes because National’s indecision month after month, year after year, means it will not become the Government any time soon.
Barbara StewartIs he aware of a statement by a New Zealand Medical Association general practitioner spokesperson that the $39 payment per visit for children under 6 does not reflect true costs; if so, will the Ministry of Health be raising the level of that particular subsidy; if not, why not?
The member asks a good question, as is often the case, and I appreciate New Zealand First’s interest in this matter to the point that it is part of the agreement with New Zealand First on confidence and supply. I can say to the member publicly that the Government is engaged on this issue seriously.
Sue KedgleyWhat cross-party support has he received to widen the scope of the treatment options available in primary health care, particularly for chronic care?
Quite a lot. Given that the question is coming from the Green Party, I think I should say that with the Greens’ support and, indeed, encouragement, we have introduced new complementary and alternative medicines capacity within the Ministry of Heath, precisely because integrated health care is an area of increasing interest both for members of the public and for an increasing number of health care professionals.
Hon Peter DunneAs part of the possible extension of primary health care for all New Zealanders, is the Government giving consideration to an annual free health check for, initially, older New Zealanders but ultimately for all New Zealanders?
Yes, but not for the age group the member may have in mind. From February 2008 the Government will be introducing a free health check for children ready to go to school—the ready-for-school check. That follows on, of course, from a number of free Plunket checks that they have got in. The outcome of the Well Child review currently under way is that the free health check will, I think, be reasonably comprehensive and a new contribution to health provision in this country.