66560 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

66560 (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 high priority cases are waiting excessively long, regions should have support services established, especially to assist Māori and Pacific patients access imaging’ as part of Te Whatu Ora Planned Care Taskforce Reset and Restore Plan?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during the April to June 2024 quarter, Health New Zealand's regions continue to develop and implement plans to support patients waiting for excessively long periods. These plans include reducing barriers to care such as radiology services. I am further advised that during the quarter a stock take of support measures was taken across the country, including navigation supports for Māori and Pacific. Initial changes to the National Travel Assistance scheme were also implemented to better support New Zealanders needing to travel to access specialist diagnostics. This included increases in reimbursement rates for mileage and accommodation from 1 April.