66542 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

66542 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What actions, if any, have been taken in the quarter April to June 2024 to implement the recommendation ‘where it is practical, patients will be offered opportunities to get their surgical planned care outside district. This already happens in some areas’ as part of Te Whatu Ora Planned Care Taskforce Reset and Restore Plan?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that Health New Zealand districts and regions continue to work collaboratively to offer patients treatment outside of their surgical planned care district. Much of this activity is targeted to long-waiting patients for procedures such as Hip and Knee arthroplasty and Cataract surgery, where demographic factors such as rurality or ethnicity are monitored. Where it is possible for a patient to travel, eligible patients are supported by the National Travel Assistance Scheme.