8. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What are his key objectives as Minister of Health over the next 12 months?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE (Minister of Health) Link to this
To listen carefully, and to work with the whole sector to continue the improvements in health and disability support services for all New Zealanders. I will work for accessible, affordable, high-quality, and secure health-care for all Kiwis.
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I will, among other things, do my best to ensure that the National Party’s promise to lift controls on general practitioners’ fees will never come to pass.
Barbara StewartIs he aware of the Cancer Society’s view that the Cancer Control Council does a very good job of monitoring the progress that has occurred, but that “we don’t have the people, equipment and medicines to treat it”; if so, what are his objectives in that important area?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
As the member will be aware, I am still getting to know the various aspects of the sector, but what I am convinced of is that a good disease-management practice, such as cancer control, will continue to form an important part of our health strategy.
What changes does he expect to make to the priorities set out to district health boards around the country?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
The Minister’s priorities for 2007 were released relatively recently, and the district health board sector can have confidence that they remain in place. My priorities are to listen, to read widely, and to meet as many as possible of the stakeholders that matter in the sector. I will be refining my views as time progresses.
How long will the thousands of New Zealanders who are on hospital waiting lists or languishing in hospital emergency departments have to wait until this new Minister actually decides he will do something for those patients?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
A lot less time than they would do if that member’s raggle-taggle bunch were in Government, because it would “rely upon competitive pressures to solve all the problems of the health system”.
In telling the House that he does not intend to change the priorities the Government has set and that the Government is doing a great job, in his words, is the Minister saying he is not going to bring any new ideas or fresh directions to health, which would make him nothing short of a caretaker Minister for the next 12 months?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE Link to this
I am committed to listening to the sector, and I suggest the member listen to the answers given to earlier supplementary questions.