11. JILL PETTIS (Labour) Link to this
to the Associate Minister of Health
How is the Government improving young people’s access to health services?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
As part of the Budget this year, over the next 3 years more than 40,000 secondary students will gain better access to health services. Over 4 years, $17.2 million will go towards health services for young people based at all decile 1 to decile 3 secondary schools, teen parent units, and alternative education facilities. That adds to the Labour-led Government’s commitment to delivering accessible primary health care to all New Zealanders, wherever they are.
What are the benefits of the Government’s delivering health care at school, and what sorts of services can young people and their parents expect?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
We know that it works much better to bring health services to where young people are, rather than just hoping they will go to existing services when they need to. We know that healthy students are much more likely to learn. School-based services will differ depending on each school’s need, but are expected to be nurse-led and may include regular general practitioner clinics. These services will be developed in consultation with the school, the primary health organisation, and the district health board.