7. DAVE HEREORA (Labour) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
Has he received any recent reports on the number of Māori enrolled in primary health organisations?
Hon MITA RIRINUI (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
I am advised that as at April 2007 the number of Māori enrolled was 523,673, and from July they will benefit even more from this Government’s commitment to make doctors’ visits and prescriptions more affordable. Our investment in primary health care has reduced doctors’ fees by around $27.50 and has lowered standard prescription charges from $15 to $3.
Has he received any regional reports of the impact of those investments in primary health care reductions?
I receive reports on a regular basis through the Ministry of Health. I will give some examples of the work that is being done out in the regions that complement the Government’s policies on primary health and the primary health sector. For example, the Te Pou Ora o Te Piringatahi, Northland primary health organisations’ mental health initiative, was basically designed to improve the identification, treatment, and support of people with mental health and addiction issues in the primary-care setting, also to provide better follow-up and coordination for people with mental health and addiction issues in Northland, and, lastly, to promote better understanding and prevention of mental health and addiction issues in that area. I also receive other reports on a regular basis—for example, from Ngāti Porou Hauora and the University of Otago on their Ngāti and Healthy programme, which is run through the Tairāwhiti District Health Board. To cut a long story short, Ngāti Porou Hauora was the supreme award winner in the 2006 Whānau Ora awards. I have many other examples here.