81007 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

81007 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has occurred to achieve the initiative 'Increase outsourcing and pilot training approaches with private providers to utilise sector capacity and grow the long-term surgical workforce' included on page 16 of High Level Implementation Plans - Achieving the Health Targets, as at 16 December 2024?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that during 2024, work began to place orthopaedic trainees in private surgical hospitals. This has proved successful. I am advised that the initiative began with three trainee places in early 2024, and a total of 12 surgical runs had been completed by the end of December. I am further advised that feedback from the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association, trainees, and private hospitals has been positive and that Health New Zealand is now looking to expand this approach to other surgical specialties.