16296 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 07 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	16296 (2026)
Question asked:	16 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	03 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_16296_2026
Document guid:	196118ca-47cb-45cb-b7a0-970cc00bd5b8

16296 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Was Cabinet informed of or consulted on the decision to establish a national outsourcing panel for ophthalmology services covering all four Health NZ regions, if so on what dates?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that outsourcing publicly funded surgical services is a long-standing and necessary part of planned care across New Zealand. Cabinet would not expect to be consulted on the operational decision to establish a national outsourcing panel for ophthalmology services.