72884 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

72884 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter January to March 2024 in ‘evaluating actions taken in the spirit of continuous quality improvement’ under ‘Ongoing research and evaluation’ within the Rural Health Strategy 2023?

Hon Matt Doocey: I am advised that the Rural Health Strategy sets the long-term direction for improving rural health outcomes. The Government Policy Statement on Health (GPS) 2024–2027 and New Zealand Health Plan sets expectations for the health entities over the three years from July 2024, which includes improving the health of rural communities. Monitoring the Rural Health Strategy is a requirement under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 and will be undertaken by officials at key points in the accountability cycle. Consequently, no formal monitoring has been undertaken of priorities from the Rural Health Strategy that were progressed through actions in the quarter specified.