44323 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

44323 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What actions, if any, have been taken in the quarter (January to March 2024) to implement the recommendation ‘Institute regional wait lists with regional clinical leadership to assess consistency in how patients are assessed and referred to wait lists’ as part of Te Whatu Ora Planned Care Taskforce Reset and Restore Plan?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the January to March 2024 quarter, models for regional waitlisting and utilisation of the region's full capacity continued to be used to good effect, particularly to address issues such as the long-waiter treatment waitlist. I am further advised that at a national level, work during the quarter focused on developing consistency in how patients are assessed and referred to wait lists, as part of Health New Zealand's operational workstream on access, booking and waitlist management. In parallel, regions are currently working to harmonise access criteria and referral processes.