2. Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Does he stand by all his recent statements regarding health services?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Yes, including the very important statement that health expenditure as a proportion of GDP is at the highest level ever in New Zealand history.
Does he think that elective surgery is a front-line health service; if so, how can he allow Wellington Hospital—
Mr SPEAKERI apologise to the member. It is perfectly acceptable for a visual aid to be used by the member and, therefore, the person assisting the bench, but it is not acceptable for visual aids to be shown from other benches.
Does he think that elective surgery is a front-line health service; if so, how can he allow Wellington Hospital to close its theatres for a week to save money, delaying surgery for 150 Wellington residents?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I note that 11,000 more elective surgery operations were done in the first year of this administration; furthermore, the increase in expenditure will allow even more elective surgery next year. I also note that the health board the member refers to had a substantive increase in its funding in the Budget.
What district nursing services will be available to people in Palmerston North who have blocked catheters or oxygen supply breakdowns, or to those dying in pain, if MidCentral District Health Board goes ahead with its proposal to completely axe the entire night shift from district nurse services?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I note that the increase in the level of funding for MidCentral District Health Board is $39 million over both last year’s and this year’s Budget, of which $13 million is in this year’s Budget. With that improved level of funding provided by the Government, the Government has confidence that first-class health services can be provided for the people of that board’s district.
Nicky WagnerHow much of the extra funding for next year that the Government has announced will go to district health boards?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
In the next financial year, district health boards will receive an estimated $407 million, taking the proportion of GDP that is being spent on health to the highest level ever. I think that demonstrates the level of commitment that this Government has to our important public health services.
How can he justify the cut to the weekly visit from a nurse to Paraparaumu College, firstly cutting it back to fortnightly and, from 1 July, cutting it completely?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
I draw on the considerable experience of Annette King, who, as Minister of Health, said that members, where they have individual cases, should raise them directly with the Minister’s office rather than in a very broad question that covers such a wide range.
Given that Associate Minister of Health the Hon Tariana Turia said that the closing of Kenepuru Hospital’s emergency department between the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. would “put people’s lives at risk”, can we now expect the Government, of which Mrs Turia is a member, to get involved in this issue and ensure that that service is not cut?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
There is huge faith in Tariana Turia because she is such an effective Associate Minister of Health. On the specific issue of the Kenepuru accident and medical clinic, I can advise that Capital and Coast District Health Board has no plans to make changes to the services there. In fact, it is delivering a lot more services. There have been 4,000 more outpatient services this year from Kenepuru, and I think that is something we should all welcome.