44338 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

44338 (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 ‘Develop approaches to recording and understanding the rates of referrals received vs declined’ 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, Health New Zealand looked at data on the rate of referrals received vs declined, and found it was not held consistently within current national or local data sets. I am further advised that there are a number of historical challenges to obtaining this data consistently, including the range of referral options, and the fact that while districts collect accepted referrals accepted, they have not consistently recorded the number of declines. I am also advised that as Health NZ develops a national data set, and a consistent approach to waitlist management and data quality, this functionality will be added. These actions will also help Health NZ more accurately assess unmet need.