Simeon Brown Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
Minister of Health Simeon Brown has announced the government will be introducing legislation to ensure the health system is focused on delivering better outcomes for patients.
He said Cabinet had approved a suite of amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022.
"These changes are about improving health outcomes by making sure the system is focused on delivery, not bogged down in doing the same thing twice. That means better care for patients through a more connected, transparent, and effective health system," Brown said.
"We're putting health targets into law so every part of the system is focused on delivering faster care, shorter wait times, higher immunisation rates, and real results."
Brown said that infrastructure delivery was "one of the most serious failings under the previous government".
"Too many builds were delayed, blown out, or never even started. We're addressing this by establishing a dedicated infrastructure committee and embedding infrastructure as a core function of Health New Zealand. This means the board can focus on lifting system performance where it matters most: for patients."
Brown said the legislation would also strengthen the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) and clarify the role of iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs).
"Local IMPBs will continue to engage with their communities but will now provide advice directly to HMAC. That advice will then support decisions made by the minister and the Health New Zealand board.
"These changes are about one thing - putting patients back at the centre. We're rebuilding a health system that delivers real outcomes, not just organisational charts."
The list of changes included:
- Establishing a new statutory purpose to ensure all patients have access to timely, quality healthcare.
- Legislated health targets to lock in accountability and ensure New Zealand's health system is measured and managed.
- Requiring all health strategies give effect to these targets.
- Stronger governance and financial oversight within Health New Zealand.
- Making the delivery of health infrastructure a core legislated function of Health New Zealand.
- Establishing a permanent infrastructure committee to carry out functions related delivery of physical health infrastructure by Health New Zealand.
- The director-general of health (or delegate) able to attend Health New Zealand board meetings to support monitoring.
- Ensuring simplified board appointment rules that select the best person for the job, based on skills and delivery.
- Clarifying public service integrity rules apply to the Health New Zealand board, CEO, and staff so patients know they're held to the highest standards.
- Removing audit requirements for the NZ Health Plan, aligning with other Crown entity requirements.
- Repealing the Health Charter and Sector Principles to reduce red tape and make things clearer for everyone.
- Enhancing the role of the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee (HMAC) to provide advice to the Minister and the board of Health New Zealand, that will be taken into account at the national level.
- Clarifying and streamlining iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs). IMPBs focus will shift away from local service design and delivery, to engaging with communities on local perspectives and Māori health outcomes.
The amendment bill would be introduced to Parliament in the coming weeks.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
