Almost 10,000 extra elective surgeries delivered by outsourcing privately, government says
Health Minister Simeon Brown says the government has delivered 9696 extra elective surgeries.
Photo:
Calvin Samuel / RNZ
The government says it has delivered 9696 extra elective surgeries, putting it on track to reach its end-of-June target of more than 10,579 operations.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the procedures were completed by 11 May and most, 8631, were
outsourced to private hospitals
.
He said they included hip and knee replacements, cataract and hernia surgeries and tonsillectomies.
Brown said the programme targeted patients who faced the longest delays, with almost 60 percent having waited over four months for their surgery.
"Our goal is clear - 95 percent of patients receiving elective treatment within four months by 2030," he said.
"We are focused on increasing delivery of elective treatments - across both public and private hospitals - to reduce wait times for Kiwis needing procedures like hip replacements or cataract surgery."
But the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists warned
outsourcing would worsen medical workforce shortages
and could create a two-tier health system.
The chair of the college's New Zealand national committee, Graham Roper, said
trainee anaesthetists needed access to the surgeries
that were outsourced.
"If the trainees don't get what we call a volume of practise, so a number of cases in particular areas of work, then their training gets extended until they reach that number. So potentially the training will become longer and that will make it less attractive for junior doctors that are looking for a career," he said.
"It's a threat to our training scheme if we get a reputation for having to stretch out that training," he said.
Roper said the government had said it was talking to private hospitals about training, but it was not clear what agreements had been made.
"We do get regular reports from our training group which are keeping a very close eye on trainees and whether they're getting the experience that they need. To date, we haven't had anyone in a situation whereby they're not meeting [requirements], but we feel we're pretty close to it," he said.
Any complications resulting from private hospital surgeries were transferred to the public system, Roper said, increasing the burden on public hospitals and making them less desirable places to work.
"To look at a model that's going to have these unintended consequences of increasing burden without good consultation and planning is just a recipe for worsening the conditions in the public system," he said.
Roper said Māori and Pacific people and people in rural areas were unlikely to benefit from the increased use of the private sector.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
43 minutes ago
- RNZ News
Covid-19 isolation and testing rules in 2025: What you need to know
Do you still have to isolate if you get Covid? Photo: FANATIC STUDIO / SCIENCE PHOTO L Explainer - We know, nobody wants to think about Covid these days if you can help it. However, it's still out there, and a recent surge in cases and a persistent new variant are driving a new wave of concern. We're a long way from lockdowns and mandates, but are you still required to isolate and how can you do testing? RNZ is here with what you need to know. Nope, and with winter weather and influenza as well, it's a good time to remember how to take a few precautions for yourself and others. There has been a sharp jump in Covid and other respiratory infections including influenza in the past few weeks. Yet another new variant, NB.1.8.1, has also developed and become the dominant strain in Asia and is rising quickly in Australia and New Zealand. It has been about a year since the last large wave of Covid cases, and University of Otago epidemiologist Dr Amanda Kvalsvig said many people have become complacent. "To those of us watching the Covid evidence closely, it's clear that NZ is under-reacting to this virus and unprepared for a winter wave," she said. It is still strongly recommended to isolate for at least five days if you test positive, even if your symptoms are mild. "This is to prevent spreading Covid-19 to other people," Health New Zealand says . "You would start your isolation at Day 0 - this is the day your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first." University of Otago epidemiologist Dr Amanda Kvalsvig. Photo: Amanda Kvalsvig Dr Kvalsvig said a New Zealand study in 2023 estimated that even with a five-day isolation period, around two in five people were still potentially infectious at the end of that time. "So five days of isolation is really an absolute minimum. To protect those around us, we should all take extra precautions for a few more days, such as wearing a mask and delaying visiting friends and family members who might be vulnerable." All legal mandates to isolate were dropped in 2023 , but there are still strong recommendations in place. "I do think people are less cautious now regarding the Covid-19 virus," said Dr Joan Ingram, medical advisor at the University of Auckland's Immunisation Advisory Centre. "To an extent that is to be expected now that most of us have some hybrid immunity from both immunisations and previous infection with the virus." Still, Covid remains a serious illness for many, she said. "So it is sensible and considerate for those with Covid-19 to stay away from others, especially for the first few days of the illness when they are more likely to spread the virus." "When I have Covid-19, I stay in a room away from others and stay home until my tests are negative. "We also need to recommend this for other respiratory infections, such as influenza. Think of others and keep your infections away from others if possible. Going to crowded, poorly ventilated settings when you are coughing and sneezing is unhelpful and inconsiderate. Consistently wear a mask if you do have to be near others." RAT tests are no longer free but still widely available. Photo: AFP You do not need a negative RAT result to return to work or school, but use common sense and talk with your employer before rocking up sneezing and coughing. "Employers should support employees to isolate in line with health guidance," Employment New Zealand says . "Asking a worker to come to work while sick could put the health of other workers at risk, and result in further disruption." For many families who are struggling, staying away from work may be difficult but a good employer can help, Dr Kvalsvig said. "Employers that ensure good indoor air quality, provide test kits for their employees, and support staying home when sick are likely to see multiple benefits with reduced levels of sickness absence and Long Covid." The Covid-19 leave support scheme, which helped employers pay employees who had to self-isolate due to the virus, ended in August 2023 . "Many still aren't well enough to be at work or school when their five-day isolation period is over," Dr Kvalsvig said. "Resting well is an important part of recovery from Covid and it would be good to see employers and schools supporting people to take an appropriate amount of sickness absence." Unfortunately, free rapid antigen tests (RATs) provided by the government ended in September 2024 . The typical cost of a RAT test is around $5, or multipacks of 5 can be had for under $20 at pharmacies and other markets. When the free tests were dropped there were concerns the move would hit low-income people harder. Many people may still have stockpiles of expired RAT tests in their cupboard. Ingram said it is best to get an unexpired test, but one can check the American FDA's website for an idea of the total shelf life of certain tests. Photo: Supplied / ESR Reported case numbers dropped starting in 2022 and "it's never really recovered," Dr Kvalsvig said. "Unfortunately, people were not testing or reporting much even when RAT tests were free," Dr Ingram said. "It would be good if they were still freely available, but I am not sure how much it would change the reporting." However, wastewater testing by crown research institute ESR has shown a large leap in SARS-CoV-2 traces in recent months. Its figures show a dramatic rise in the past month in wastewater testing samples compared to reported case numbers. The Auckland region shows an even more dramatic spike in wastewater levels. Photo: Supplied / ESR "Wastewater levels are currently the best indicator we have of community cases," Dr Kvalsvig said. "We're very lucky that the team at ESR are providing this vital information and there's a huge amount of hard work going on behind the scenes to analyse the variants and make sense of the data. We would be in a very difficult situation without this information, with no early warning of Covid waves and no idea about what variants might be spreading." New Zealand still needs more community-driven reporting, such as the Well Kiwis studies, she said. You can still report your own RAT test results through . Yes, Covid vaccines are available free for everyone aged 5 and over. However, if you've already had a vaccine and booster, as most people have by now, generally only those over age 30 are able to get multiple boosters, at least 6 months apart. Younger people can get additional doses if they are at risk of severe illness - see Health NZ's website for the full rundown. Influenza also remains a big concern and people should get their annual vaccinations, Dr Ingram said. "The US had more influenza hospitalisations over their recent winter than they have had since the 2010-2011 season, so I urge all people (including children) to have an influenza immunisation even if they are healthy." Flu vaccines are free for people aged 65 and over , pregnant women and those with some pre-existing conditions. Otherwise the vaccine runs between $25 to $45, Health NZ says. Covid is likely here to stay in some form, epidemiologists have said. But as always, the disease remains changing. "Covid is more manageable now and we have better strategies and tools in the toolbox: we just need to use them," Dr Kvalsvig said. "Aside from staying home when sick, clean indoor air and good quality masks are highly effective protections that NZ has been really slow to pick up. Once we do, we'll never want to go back to the same level of sickness we experience each winter." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
16 hours ago
- RNZ News
Calls for more rural mental health resourcing
health rural 5:18 pm today While farmers are treated to record dairy and meat prices, mental health is still a massive issue with disproportionately high suicide rates in rural areas. Huge work loads, isolation and lots of financial pressure can all take a toll. A $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust has been a welcome announcement at Fieldays in Hamilton, but has now sparked calls for more clinical psychologists in rural areas. Alexa Cook reports.
RNZ News
17 hours ago
- RNZ News
Call for more rural psychologists to help farmers with mental health
While many farmers are feeling good about record meat and dairy prices , mental health is still a massive issue with disproportionately high suicide statistics in rural areas. Depression is something Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is familiar with, after his own battle began eight years ago. "It's amazing how it creeps in. It affects your farm, your family and your entire life. "I describe it creeping in like a fog - all of a sudden you find yourself in a bit of a mess and you need help to get out," he said. Langford is grateful for the support his wife wrapped around him, and urges other farmers in his situation to reach out. "The key for me was getting off farm, spending time with kids and family," he said. Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi The sector is welcoming a $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust over four years to improve access to mental health services, but it's sparked calls for more clinical psychologists in rural areas. Clinical psychologist Sarah Donaldson told RNZ that through her work with the Trust she sees high demand from the farming sector. "Our largest proportion for referrals is distress - from mild through to acutely suicidal. "There are greater risk factors in the rural sector unfortunately - huge workloads, isolation, work and home are all wrapped up in one bundle and there's lots riding on it," she said. Clinical psychologist Sarah Donaldson. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi The Rural Support Trust helps farmers access the help they need, which Donaldson describes as a 'lifesaving' service. But she's worried about a shortage of specialists in rural areas, such as clinical psychologists. "We need more people that have some clinical training that can be attached to rural support or do outreach services. "There are people scattered around the country but there's no specific channel to train in rural mental health currently," she said. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey assured RNZ that the government is working on a workforce plan in a bid to reduce wait times for patients needing mental health services, which he said will also have an impact in rural communities. "But let's be very clear, one of the biggest barriers to people accessing timely mental health and addiction support is too many workforce vacancies," said Doocey. He said a key factor is the lack of clinical internship placements. "Sadly, only up to a couple years ago there was only 30 clinical internship places a year. We've committed to doubling that, growing it by 100 percent to up to 80 placements by 2027," said Doocey. The new funding for the Rural Support Trust is on top of another $3 million over the next four years allocated through the Ministry for Primary Industries, and $2 million of health funding is being invested in the Rural Wellbeing Fund. The sector is welcoming a $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust over four years to improve access to mental health services. Photo: RNZ Rural Support Trust chair Michelle Ruddell said the farming sector has been calling for this for years. "We are immensely grateful for the funding and it means our rural people will be better supported. "We are going to be able to deliver our core work - it's one on one, free, impartial and at a time and place that suits them," she said. Ruddell describes the demand for their services as "huge" and said a key part of the work is getting farmers to speak up when they need help. "Looking after our mental health is really hard and it often gets left behind - our rural people not only struggle to ask for help on a day to day basis, but actually don't often ask for help very often for their own wellbeing," she said. It's a challenge the group is up for, they're determined to reach more farmers in every nook and cranny of Aotearoa. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
