57337 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 19 Jan 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	57337 (2025)
Question asked:	07 Dec 2025
Member asking:	Tangi Utikere
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	21 Dec 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_57337_2025
Document guid:	809ef1eb-d703-4619-94af-5d62af9ea35f

57337 (2025). Tangi Utikere to the Minister of Health: How many gastroenterologists, if any, does the Minister consider adequate to meet the needs of the Palmerston North community at Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ MidCentral?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that 5.4 FTE gastroenterologists are budgeted for the gastroenterologist service at Palmerston North Hospital, as part of our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare. I am further advised that staffing requirements are regularly reviewed to ensure sufficient capacity to meet clinical requirements for patients.