10527 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

10527 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter October – December 2023 to ‘Maintain and strengthen robust national surveillance mechanisms for detecting and responding to future communicable disease outbreaks and threats’ under section 3.2 ‘An enhanced national public health system’ within Te Whatu Ora’s Te Pae Tata: Interim New Zealand Health Plan 2022?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the October - December 2023 quarter, activities were progressed around detecting and responding to future communicable disease outbreaks and threats. These included: • Developing systems and processes for the Measles SitRep. • Issues with Covid-19 cases and admission data were identified and remediated. • Work started to shift the reporting of Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths to BAU mechanisms. I am further advised that during the quarter, significant emphasis continued to be placed on engaging with partners and key stakeholders in the review of the Communicable Disease Control Manual.