Parata Hekia: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Parata Hekia: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:668;Page:15074] 
4. 
HEKIA PARATA (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What progress has been made at Kenepuru Hospital to provide more services for patients? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 I can inform the House that in the last 2 years 2008-09 and 2009-10 under this Government the number of surgical procedures carried out at Kenepuru Hospital has increased by 57 percent. In the last financial year 3630 surgical procedures were carried out which is an increase of 1321 on the last year of the previous regime. This is further evidence of improved front-line services under this Government. Unfortunately I regret to inform the House that over the last 3 years of the previous Government 2005-06 to 2007-08 the number of surgical procedures carried out at Kenepuru Hospital actually fell by 13 percent. 
Hekia Parata 
: What other progress has been made at Kenepuru Hospital to provide further services to patients? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: In the last 2 years the number of out-patient consultations carried out at Kenepuru Hospital has increased by 30 percent. In the last financial year 19635 out-patient consultations were carried out which is an increase of 4500 on the last year of the previous Government. I regret to inform the House that over the last 3 full financial years of the previous Government the number of out-patient consultations carried out at Kenepuru Hospital actually fell by 18 percent. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: How many additional Mana residents have joined the surgery waiting list at Kenepuru Hospital because ACC has declined their claim for help and how many extra staff will be needed to care for them? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Of course one is not going to have that data with them. But what I can tell that member is that under this Government the people of Kenepuru have enjoyed the introduction of neurology clinics general surgery breast clinics newborn hearing clinics four new observation beds an anaesthetic pre-assessment clinic a pain management clinic psychiatric liaison services and haematology— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I am sure it is very interesting information but the member did not actually ask for that. The Hon Ruth Dyson— 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Are you giving me an opportunity to answer? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: No I am just pulling the Minister up from going on for too long. Does the member wish to ask a supplementary question? 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Absolutely. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: She should not push her chances too far. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: How many more elderly from the Mana electorate will be seeking treatment at Kenepuru Hospital as a result of his decision to further cut home help for elderly people? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: What I can tell that member with regard to the older people of the Mana electorate is that Capital and Coast District Health Board has made some changes to its home-care services that bring the same policy there in line with the rest of the country. I can also say that many people in the Mana electorate are not having to be transported to the emergency department at Wellington Regional Hospital because of the urgent-care initiative involving Wellington Free Ambulance which this Government has funded which means that 70 percent of patients are treated at home rather than going to the emergency department.