The National-led coalition government reintroduced five health targets, which had been scrapped by the Labour-led government. However, they did not include any targets around primary health.
In his first interview with Q+A since replacing Dr Shane Reti as health minister, Simeon Brown said he asked officials to explore primary healthcare targets, and said in his view there should be targets in this area.
“My view is, you should be able to get an appointment [at a GP] within a week. I think there’s far too many New Zealanders waiting more than a week, particularly in our rural communities,” said Brown.
“I want to go through a process to make sure I get good advice on that,” said Brown, adding that including ensuring GPs were resourced properly to deliver on that target.
“If you look at the numbers, over the last six years we’ve seen a 51% increase in funding for our hospital system, but only a 43% increase in funding for our primary and community care, so we need to shift the balance.”
“We also need to make sure Kiwis are getting the delivery from that investment,” said Brown.
Brown confirmed there were no other areas of primary care where he was currently considering a target.
Reintroducing health targets was a key promise made by National during the election campaign.
In March last year, five targets to reach by 2030 were announced:
- Faster cancer treatment — 90% of patients to receive cancer management within 31 days of the decision to treat.
- Improved immunisation — 95% of children fully immunised at 24 months of age.
- Shorter stays in emergency departments — 95% of patients to be admitted, discharged or transferred from an emergency department within six hours.
- Shorter wait times for first specialist assessment — 95% of patients wait less than four months for a first specialist assessment.
- Shorter wait times for elective treatment — 95% of patients wait less than four months for elective treatment.
On those targets, Brown said what the targets measured had gone backwards under the previous government.
However, the measured areas have also declined under the first year of National being in government and holding the health portfolio.
“I accept there’s significant challenges in our health system — that’s why we put the targets back in place,” said Brown.
“You’ll soon see in the next quarter — there will be quarterly releases coming out, and the public will start to see that improving.”
“If we’re not measuring these things, we will not see the focus and resource go where it’s needed most.”
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of NZ On Air.
