51755 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

51755 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What are the key areas of health spending that the Minister believes require immediate and sustained investment, given his comment that Budget 2024 is not a long-term solution in comments to the South General Practice Conference & Medical Exhibition on 16 August 2024, and how will these be prioritized in future budgets?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: At Budget 2024, the Government confirmed health funding increases from 2024/25, as well as pre-commitments for additional funding for the next two Budgets. Health received a significant funding boost of $16.68 billion across these three Budgets as part of the plan to invest in frontline services to ensure New Zealanders can get the healthcare they deserve. This included $2.12 billion for primary, community and public health through Health NZ. The Ministry of Health and Health NZ are working through a primary and community healthcare work programme to analyse the policy and service delivery system settings. This will include advice on funding settings.