6. Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What guarantees can he give of continued access to primary health care?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
The guarantee this Government gives is that it will be working hard to improve access to primary care, despite inheriting a major shortage of health professionals, including general practitioners, in many parts of the country. That is why the Government has announced the voluntary bonding scheme, which already has 115 doctors registering interest, and has announced 50 extra general practitioner training places over the next 2 years and 60 extra medical training places next year as the first tranche towards an extra 220 medical student training places. We are also conducting a line-by-line review so that we can move money into front-line services.
What response does the Minister have to the concerns expressed by Dr Gay Keating, who says that the Government has focused on the wrong area, and that more money should be spent on primary health in order to keep people out of hospital?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
Well, there will always be a variety of approaches and views on where the money should be spent. I note that in the last Budget this Government has committed $750 million of new spending on health care, and I think people will find that that will produce greater outcomes and better results for New Zealand patients.
Michael Woodhouse Link to this
What reports has the Minister seen recently in relation to health funding, including primary health funding?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
The Minister has seen reports that show that last year Labour planned to cut over $110 million allocated to health projects across the sector. That included cutting $13 million for primary health care, $10 million for people with disabling, chronic medical conditions, and $24 million for public health services. Those are strange actions indeed for a party that pretends to be horrified by line-by-line reviews.
Hon David Cunliffe Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister has quoted a number of figures about reported “cuts” to public health. He has not made clear whether those—
Mr SPEAKERNo, no. The member cannot litigate an answer by way of a point of order. If members do not think the Minister has given accurate information, they can drill into that with further supplementary questions, but they cannot do it by way of points of order.
Why did the Minister refuse to give the Health Committee any assurance that this year’s increase in general practitioners fees of 6.5 percent will not be repeated in the future?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
There is a well-established framework, which was set up under the last Government, for changes in doctors fees, and this Government is adhering to it.
What link does the Minister think there should be between the rate of inflation and the increase in general practitioners fees, or are his actions confirmation that his view is that general practitioners and the market should set the fees?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
It is tight financial times. General practitioners are having difficulties maintaining financial viability, just as anyone else is. They are trying to provide a service—and I am sure they will continue to do so—in very straitened financial circumstances.