28834 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

28834 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by the statement made on his behalf in the House on 3 June 2025 regarding a request for $3.6 million to address staffing in Middlemore Hospital's emergency department that, "I have been advised that there was no request" and if so, how does that reconcile with Health New Zealand Counties Manukau Group Leadership Team's "Quality Alert: emergency department overcrowding at Middlemore Hospital" which states that $3.6 million was requested for additional staffing?

Hon Simeon Brown: In the context it was made, yes. The “Quality Alert: emergency department overcrowding at Middlemore Hospital” report was submitted to the National Quality Committee which does not hold financial delegations. I am advised that Health New Zealand did not receive a business case for $3.6 million to address staffing in parallel to submission of the quality report.