6. Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Is he confident the health sector can deliver on his expectations?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Despite the fact that the previous Labour Government left the new National Government with around $160 million of unfunded services and quietly stripped $150 million out of Vote Health before the last election, yes, but it may take a little longer.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The member Ruth Dyson put down a question on notice for the Minister to consider. The point I make is that the Minister gave a little speech before he got on to the substance of the answer.
Mr SPEAKERA point of order is being heard and it should be heard in silence. I say to the Hon Darren Hughes on a matter like this to reflect on the substantive question asked. I accept what he says—that it is a question on notice—but it is seeking an opinion. It asks: “Is he confident the health sector can deliver on his expectations?”. The Minister’s confidence is obviously being a bit qualified by some matters he mentioned in his answer, and that is the kind of answer members will get if they ask this kind of question. There are always slight dangers around seeking opinions when questions are asked.
Will he change his expectations of the health sector given the huge cuts in health funding, as reported on the front page of the New Zealand Herald today?
There will be no cuts to the health budget. There will be more money in Vote Health next year, in the vicinity of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Kevin HagueWhat is his response to the group of senior representatives of the health sector, OraTaiao, who brought their message to the steps of Parliament today, saying that runaway climate change is the most serious health issue this century?
Climate change is an issue that needs to be taken very seriously, and I am advised that the Minister for Climate Change Issues, the Hon Dr Nick Smith, met with those doctors this afternoon.
Will he change his expectation of the health sector, given the huge cost-shifting currently occurring between accident compensation and health, combined with the cuts in health funding that were reported for next year?
I want to be quite clear about the premise of the member’s question. There are no cuts to the health budget, and there will be more money in health next year. I have also received an assurance from the chairman of the Auckland District Health Board, one Mr Pat Snedden, who said that any savings made within the Auckland District Health Board will be ploughed back into front-line health services.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What progress is the Government making on its current expectations and priorities in the public health service?
On Monday the Government will be publishing its priorities and the performance of the public health service against the priorities that the new Government has labelled. This is the first time that we are publishing for the public what is happening with front-line health services, and they will see more elective surgery, faster emergency departments, and better cancer treatment for New Zealanders. That is what they wanted and that is what they are getting.
Is he saying that senior doctors are wrong when they say that his health system will be devastating for patients, will compromise patients’ access to hospitals, will compromise quality and safety, and will end up costing more because of chronic illness and emergency admissions?
Of course it would be devastating if the public health service vote were to be cut by the levels that are being talked about. The member needs to know that this Government has significantly increased the health budget this year and there will be further increases in the health budget next year. The difference between this Government and the previous Government is that the previous Government doubled the health budget, and New Zealanders got less for their health service. They are getting more under a National-led Government.
How many doctors and nurses will pack their bags and leave our country when they learn that none of his predicted savings in health will be redirected to recruitment and retention, as confirmed by his officials at the Health Committee yesterday, that they will be getting more unfunded patients turfed off the books by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), and that those doctors and nurses can expect a zero wage increase offer next year as health community support workers are getting right now?
The difficulty I have is actually being able to prove whether the comments the member has made are accurate, because I saw a press release yesterday where she sought to represent comments made by the director-general about ACC and advice that I had sought, which members of the select committee did not hear the director-general say, and the director-general says he did not say.
Has he discussed with his colleague the Minister for Climate Change Issues, and conveyed to the Prime Minister, the views of a large section of the health sector that the current proposed amendments to the emissions trading scheme will be bad for the health of New Zealanders, squandering scarce public funds on subsidies to polluters instead of providing essential health services?
I can say that I have numerous conversations with my bench mate the Minister for Climate Change Issues, and I must say that many people in the health sector are of the view that he is doing an excellent job for the people of New Zealand.
I seek leave of the House to table five documents. Four are papers published in the New Zealand Medical Journal. The first is from 30 October, and it is “New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme and health: wasting our opportunities”.
The second is also from the New Zealand Medical Journal of 30 October: “Sign On—prescribing for climate health”.
The third is from the New Zealand Medical Journal of 9 October: “Why New Zealand must rapidly halve its greenhouse gas emissions”.
The fourth is from the New Zealand Medical Journal of 9 October and it is “Climate change: the health consequences of inactivity”.
The fifth document is a report from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme from 2003 entitled Climate Change and Human Health—Risks and Responses.