17426 (2025). Hūhana Lyndon to the Minister of Health

17426 (2025). Hūhana Lyndon to the Minister of Health: Will Health New Zealand's investigation into Nelson Hospital include input from local patients and their families, particularly those who have raised concerns about care and wait times?

Hon Simeon Brown: As I said in Written Parliamentary Question 17327 (2025), Health New Zealand holds operational responsibility for staffing and wait times at Nelson Hospital. The waitlists in Nelson are unacceptable and reflect a broader trend across the country following the previous government’s decision to scrap health targets, which has led to ballooning wait times across the country. I am advised that Health New Zealand is inviting patients to contribute to reviewing processes as part of our Government's focus on putting patients first.