8. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Did he meet with the three Auckland district health boards earlier this year to discuss a proposal for a four-theatre elective super-centre; if so, why?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes, I met with them to deal with a major problem inherited from the previous Government: despite a doubling of the health budget, on a population basis fewer New Zealanders have access to elective surgery after 8 years of the previous Government. It failed to increase elective discharges at the rate of population growth, let alone of population ageing, and that is why it resorted to culling thousands of New Zealanders from waiting lists. The best way to address this elective failure is to build capacity—hence National’s commitment to build dedicated elective surgery theatres, separating emergency and planned surgery. The district health boards have responded with the first joint regional proposal, which will see the first elective surgery super-centre built at Greenlane.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What contribution would the proposed super-theatre complex make to delivering extra elective surgery?
The proposed Greenlane elective surgery –super-centre would, on its own, deliver an estimated additional 5,000 people a year with surgery. This will be a step change in the elective surgery services we are providing in Auckland. To put that figure in context, I say Ministry of Health reports reveal that under the previous Government the average increase was 1,432 people a year, lower than the rate of population growth. The Greenlane super-centre alone will deliver more than triple that increase.
Hon Ruth DysonCan the Minister confirm that he will match Labour’s record of opening and funding 20 new operating theatres; or is he satisfied just with receiving a proposal for four new ones that, if built, will be funded from within the existing health budget?
I find it remarkable that the Opposition spokeswoman would dare to ask questions about Vote Health money and services, because just prior to the general election Labour stealthily cut $50 million out of Vote Health for next year and $100 million for the next year—a total of $150 million cut from Vote Health.
Hon Dr Michael Cullen Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. We had a lot of play-acting previously from Mr English about the Public Finance Act. Given that the money referred to by the Minister was in the pre-election fiscal update, I am not sure how he managed to arrive at some—
Mr SPEAKERWhat is not clear to me—[ Interruption]—and members will know that points of order are meant to be heard in silence, is what remedy the member is seeking.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The Minister did not address the question. I seek your support in asking him to at least attempt to address the question.
The member raises an interesting point. She asked a question, and the answer started with an attack on the questioner. I think it would be helpful if the Minister, in answering the question, were to give some information before launching an attack on the questioner. I invite the Hon Ruth Dyson to repeat her question.
Can the Minister confirm that he will match Labour’s record of opening and funding 20 new operating theatres, or is he satisfied with just receiving a proposal for four new operating theatres, which, if built, will be funded from within the existing health budget?
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What is different, in the way this proposal was developed, from past proposals?
There are a number of special features about how this proposal was created, but the two most important features are, firstly, that in seeking to deliver a very different health system from the increasingly centrally controlled and bureaucratic system we have inherited, we have required district health boards to work closely with their neighbouring district health boards and take a joint approach to improved service, and, secondly, we have required them to demonstrate the active engagement of doctors and nurses in the development of the proposals from the earliest stage. This Government means to deliver on its commitment to clinical leadership and improved front-line services.