4. Dr PAUL HUTCHISON (National—Hunua) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Has he received any reports confirming that the yearly increase in the number of surgical elective discharges from 2000-01 to 2007-08 averaged 1,436 a year, and can he confirm that the comparable increase in 2008-09 was 11,805?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
I can confirm that the number of people getting elective surgery increased between 2000 and 2008 by a very slow average of 1,436 a year, which was below population growth and ageing, meaning that real access was cut. Many more people got elective surgery in the past financial year, with the largest increase coming under the new Government. The past year’s performance was over eight times the past average—a record increase of 11,805 extra operations for patients.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
Has the Minister seen reports claiming that this increase was due to doing less complex surgery; if so, are these claims correct?
Yes, I have seen those reports; it is disappointing to inform the House that those claims by the Opposition spokeswoman on health are wrong. The facts show that in the past financial year the average complexity of operations was exactly the same as the previous year and above the average complexity of the previous 7 years. It is worth noting, too, that most of the increase occurred in the second half of the financial year—January to July 2009.
Hon Ruth DysonCan the Minister confirm that during the 2008 calendar year elective surgery actually rose by 15,039 procedures, meaning the elective surgery increase he just tried to claim credit for actually happened under Labour’s watch, not his?
The one thing I have learnt in this House is that I cannot rely on that member’s claims in question time. But, regardless of that, the fact is that under the 9 years of the previous Labour Government the average increase in operations for patients was 1,436. In this financial year, with a very big increase in the second half of the year, we are getting that average up. That means more service for New Zealand patients.
Hon Darren Hughes Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I waited until the end of the Minister’s answer. I ask you to reflect on how he started his answer. He said he could not rely on the word of another member. You have delivered a homily today to Labour members about performance. We have heard one Minister answer a question by saying that if a member chooses to put five questions in a question, that is their problem, and then plump herself down. In that case the member concerned had not asked five questions. Now another Minister has said he cannot rely on another member’s word. That leads to disorder, and I think you need to reflect on it.
Hon Gerry Brownlee
Mr SPEAKERA point of order is being heard, and there will be no interjection. I ask Ministers not to start answers in that manner, because it will lead to disorder. I support the member’s point of order.
Dr Paul Hutchison Link to this
What were the main reasons for this record increase; and is it usual for more elective surgery to be done in the second half of the financial year than in the first half?
A number of factors contributed to this result. It is very significant that this is the first time since district health boards were established 9 years ago that the number of patients getting elective operations has been higher in the second half of the financial year than in the first. I am also advised that, in line with Government expectations, district health boards are making smarter use of the private sector, which in the past year helped to deliver around 3,500 extra operations than in the previous year. That number is up nearly 50 percent.
I seek leave to table figures, provided by the Minister of Health himself, that show there was an increase from 2007 to 2008 of 15,039 surgical procedures.
I seek leave to table the minutes of the meeting of the Northland District Health Board—dated Tuesday, 2 June—where the hospital advisory committee notes that the Minister of Health is focusing on patient numbers rather than on case weights, which is the complexity of the surgery.