This means the DHBs' degree of autonomy will be reduced. Their opportunities to shift money could well be limited. One reason would be to respond to a population approach, which requires control of the budget. Dr Ashton says backing this idea up is the fact there is quite a degree of tagging, eg, money for palliative care, oral heath. The minister wants money going into targeted areas.
Money is so tight it is going to be exceedingly difficult for the DHBs to get up and running.
More millions for elective surgery means what has been poured into it so far has not been as successful as the Government had hoped. There is no specific focus indicating rural health rates in the distribution of health funding, says Rural GP Network chair Tim Malloy . He had no expectations from this year's Budget and remains unchanged, cynical and frustrated with the lack of support the sector is getting. The rural sector has watched successive governments stand by while the rural primary care work force has wound down to where it is now grossly understaffed in all areas. Meanwhile, we waste time and money on a maternity care initiative that will have no impact on primary care.