46856 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

46856 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 to ‘Develop regional booking and scheduling tools, including patient-led bookings to equitably improve the experience of patients and whānau’ under section 3.5 ‘Networked hospital and specialist service delivery’ within Te Whatu Ora’s Te Pae Tata: Interim New Zealand Health Plan 2022?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that Health New Zealand monitor a number of factors that indicate correct waiting list management, including long waiters, booking in order and 'treat in turn'. In addition, during the quarter referenced and currently, Health NZ are working on national policies for consistent access, booking and waitlist management. In addition, this includes work on suspend, missed appointments and other key operational business rules. Again, this is a significant piece of work that is seeking to provide assurance to the public and to clinicians that our waiting lists are being managed in a consistent way no matter where a person lives.