New Zealand to consolidate healthcare into national service similar to Britain's

22 April, 2021
New Zealand to consolidate healthcare into national service similar to Britain's
New Zealand announced Wednesday it'll consolidate its fragmented healthcare system right into a national service similar to the one revered by many in Britain.

New Zealand's government-run system happens to be split into 20 district health boards, each with their own budget. Some describe the machine as a “postcode lottery” of different treatment according to where people live.

Health Minister Andrew Little said that over 3 years, the district boards will be replaced by an individual new body called Health New Zealand. He promised an elevated focus on public health insurance and treating persons early so they don’t finish up in hospitals.

He said the coronavirus pandemic had forced the system into a rare and welcomed collaboration but it wasn't how it usually worked.

The overhaul also contains a fresh Indigenous Maori Health Authority.

“Our system is becoming overly complex. It really is far too complicated for a little nation,” Little said. “We simply don't need 20 different sets of decision-makers."

The extent of the overhaul came as a surprise to numerous and went beyond the recommendations of an assessment panel. It was cautiously welcomed by several groups representing doctors and healthcare workers.

But opposition health spokesman Dr. Shane Reti said the restructure was “reckless” and would see regions and small communities lose their voices. He said the government had an ideology of centralized control.

“Health New Zealand will probably end up as yet another bureaucracy that governments will have to fund, rather than investing the money where it’s needed most," Reti said.

Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall said a new public health agency means experts will be better-placed to fight future pandemics and may focus more strategically on problems like diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.

And Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare said the brand new Maori Health Authority allows more control for Maori, who suffer worse health normally than other New Zealanders.

THE BRAND NEW Zealand health system is government subsidized but patients still have to pay some of the price when visiting the doctor or accessing many other services. A lot more than one-third of adults opt to pay for the excess benefits made available from private health insurers.
Source: japantoday.com
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