81032 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

81032 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has occurred to achieve the initiative 'Continue to fund access to virtual healthcare (e.g., Ka Ora, National Telehealth Service) as an alternative/additional source of advice for patients in urgent need' included on page 13 of High Level Implementation Plans - Achieving the Health Targets, as at 16 December 2024?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that contracts for a national telehealth service and a rural clinical telehealth service remain in force to meet urgent need for advice. The national service involves several well-established health advice and helpline services that supported more than 663,000 contacts in the year ending 30 June 2024. I am further advised that more than 60% of eligible practices in rural areas have now signed up to the rural clinical telehealth service (Ka Ora), As of 31 October 2024, Ka Ora had delivered over 25,000 clinical interactions in its first year of operating.