7. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Has he seen today’s media reports of further serious failures in the health system, including Auckland cancer patients waiting 12 weeks for radiation therapy, rising deficits at another district health board, and a man’s tragic death after being left alone by staff at Christchurch Hospital’s emergency department; and what action has he taken to deal with the crisis in the country’s hospitals?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes, and, like all New Zealanders, our thoughts are with the family of the man who died in Christchurch. It is important that hospitals undertake thorough clinical case reviews following any such tragic event, and I will be making sure that that happens. I would not use one tragic case to suggest there is crisis in our entire health service.
Is it not yet another sign of crisis in the public health system that an Auckland woman has been told by her specialist she will now have to wait 15 weeks—15 weeks, I say to the Minister—to begin her radiation treatment, when the Ministry of Health says the best practice is that such treatments should begin within 4 weeks?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I do not believe it is appropriate to raise individual cases in the House when all the facts of this case are not clear. I understand that the husband of that patient contacted the Minister’s office several times yesterday, and the situation has been resolved. However, if the member has more information on the case, and he wants to pass it on, I am very happy to ensure that it will be followed up.
Louisa WallKia ora, Madam Speaker. Tēna tātou katoa. Has the Minister seen any reports suggesting that New Zealand’s access to world-class health facilities has improved under the current Labour-led Government?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
Yes. This Government has built seven new hospitals, completed eight major upgrades, and built 10 new specialist facilities. We have three new hospital redevelopments almost complete, and five more under way. This Labour-led Government is committed to public investment in health care, not to creating profit-making opportunities for the National Party’s big-business backers.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Tēna tātou katoa. Has the Minister seen the comments of Dr Juliet Rumball-Smith that suggest Māori may not be receiving the same quality of hospital care as non-Māori, and what will the Minister be doing to address this crisis, apart from building new hospitals?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
No, I have not seen those comments, but I will analyse those comments and I will be quite happy to report back accordingly.
Hon Tariana Turia Link to this
Has the Minister seen the study that shows that even though there is a great prevalence of cardiac disease in Māori, paradoxically they do not receive the same level of cardiac interventions as European patients, and that, similarly, Māori with chronic diseases may not receive the same medical management as non-Māori, and what could be the reason for such discrepancy in health status between Māori and non-Māori?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I am aware of those inequalities. I believe it is about access to primary health services, and we have invested heavily in making sure it is much cheaper to go to the general practitioner, and to then get on a clinical pathway.
Why are women in Auckland being told that radiation treatment delays are now between 12 and 15 weeks, when the Government says they should be 4 weeks?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I am aware that there is pressure on radiotherapy treatment, but it is caused by a number of factors, including higher than normal demand, unexpected breakdowns in linear accelerators, and the resignation of some staff to go and work in the private sector. However, it is very important to note that Auckland District Health Board has achieved 97 percent of its cancer treatment target in the year to June.
Has the state of the health system in New Zealand come to this—when a woman is told by her specialist that her treatment will take 15 weeks to arrive, the husband has to ring the office of the Minister of Health to plead for care?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
I have already answered that question. That case has been resolved. I am also advised by the Auckland District Health Board that it is looking at a variety of options to ensure that patients do get the treatment they need, including transfers to other treatment centres—
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
—I say to Mr Ryall that I am getting there—and the urgent recruitment of additional radiologists.
Is the Minister saying that this Government has spent millions and millions of dollars building new hospitals, doubled the health budget, and apparently invested in the health workforce, yet the husbands of women facing 15-week delays for radiation treatment have to ring the office of the Minister of Health to plead for treatment, and is that the shameful, shameful state of affairs in health in New Zealand today?
Hon STEVE CHADWICK Link to this
Unduly dramatic really, is it not. I have already answered the question that the Auckland District Health Board is actively pursuing alternative treatment options to ensure that waiting times are down for access to radiotherapy, and has reached its target of 97 percent.