10. Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Does he still stand by his policy to deliver better, sooner, and more convenient health care?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Despite the fact that the previous Government quietly cut $150 million from Vote Health and left district health boards delivering $160 million of health services that were not funded, yes.
Does the Minister agree with the Murray Horn report that preventing illness may not be cost-effective, and is that why funding for programmes like Let’s Beat Diabetes has been cut?
The ministerial review group report is out for public feedback. I know that New Zealanders would be concerned about any such changes to policy, and I hope the member expressed concern when her bench mate, Annette King, cut $110 million out of health services for reprioritisation before the last election.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What recent feedback has the Minister had in relation to progressing his goal of more convenient health care?
I think the most exciting piece of news on how we are improving services for New Zealanders was the record number of elective surgeries performed for New Zealanders in the last 6 months—the biggest single increase in that period of time.
Does the Minister agree with the Murray Horn report that freezing the wages of all staff in the health sector is necessary, and how will that freeze assist to deliver National’s promise of closing the wage gap with Australia?
I do not think that quote is in the ministerial review group report; I cannot recall reading that quote. I have to say that it is no secret that restraint is needed in the State services.
Does the Minister agree with Murray Horn’s saying that helping people to live longer may not be cost-effective? Is he now telling older New Zealanders that it is better and more convenient for them to die sooner?
I have made it absolutely clear that this Government is determined to improve health services for all New Zealanders, and we will not allow preference for working New Zealanders over retired or non-working New Zealanders. This Government takes seriously its responsibility to protect and improve the New Zealand public health service.