10. GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
Is he satisfied with the cost of after-hours medical treatment?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Associate Minister of Health) Link to this
I am concerned about the costs of some after-hours services, despite the fact that this Government is putting an extra $144 million into primary care over 4 years. There has always been a wide variation in after-hours charges, as those clinics are privately owned. This Government is supporting a range of initiatives, including a new 10-clinic after-hours network in Auckland, nurse telephone triage systems, and weekend clinics.
Is he aware that in Queenstown an after-hours consultation can cost $139 for an adult, $123 for a child, and $102 for a baby; if so, what is he doing to address that situation?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
Yes, I am aware of those figures, which are a substantial improvement on the situation when Damien O’Connor was asked in 2004 about after-hours care in Queenstown. He said: “I am aware of some excessive charges for after-hours services in Queenstown, for example, where some general practitioners have been asking for over $200.” I think that member would have to agree that under this Government the situation—
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
It is true; it is here in Hansard. The system has improved substantially.
What responsibility does he take for high after-hours charges, or does he agree with the Ministry of Health that practices should check themselves; and when will his Government take responsibility for these charges?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
As I said in my opening answer, there is concern about after-hours charges in some areas of the country, but it is a longstanding problem and we are working to address it. We are putting an extra $144 million into primary care over 4 years, and there are specific initiatives like nurse telephone triage systems, weekend clinics, extra funding for emergency departments to provide overnight services, and extra funding for longer evening services. It is a chronic problem but steps are being taken to address it.
Does he think it acceptable that a 14-year-old visiting an after-hours clinic in Auckland was charged $66 for a routine consultation, or that a community services card holder in Ashburton was charged $47 for a consultation?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
As I say, there are some issues in various parts of the country, but we expect that district health boards and primary health organisations will be working together to address this problem. The previous Labour Government failed to address this problem; it is not an easy one.
What specific things will he do outside of Auckland to address after-hours charges that are now becoming, according to one provider, beyond the means of many people?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
I think I have listed quite clearly the specific things that we are doing, but I can go through the list again if the member would like me to: nurse telephone triage systems, weekend clinics, extra funding for emergency departments to provide overnight services, extra funding for longer evening services, a network of 10 after-hours clinics that are planned in Auckland, $850 million going into primary care, and $144 million over 4 years going into after-hours services, including $14 million specifically for after-hours services, split between rural and urban areas. There are very specific measures.