O'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to MinistersText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeO'Connor Simon: Oral Questions — Questions to Ministers[Sitting date: 22 October 2014. Volume:701;Page:126. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]8.SIMON O’CONNOR (National—Tāmaki)to the Minister of Health: Is he confident that New Zealand is prepared to deal with a case of suspected Ebola?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Health):I am. Although the risk that Ebola poses to New Zealand remains low we are treating the situation very seriously and taking every precaution to keep New Zealand protected. I am receiving daily updates on the situation from both here and abroad and officials are constantly updating the comprehensive measures that are in place as part of the international response to the threat of Ebola. I would like to recognise the hard work of officials doctors and nurses and all those involved in preparing New Zealand to respond to this threat.Simon O’Connor: What particular measures are being undertaken as part of the comprehensive preparation in place to protect New Zealand?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: It is worth noting that this is not just a Ministry of Health response to keeping New Zealand protected. The Ministry of Health is working with Immigration New Zealand and the Customs Service to constantly monitor and update protections at the border. Officials are running specific Ebola-readiness activities coordinated across 20 agencies to model New Zealand’s whole-of-Government response.Hon Te Ururoa Flavell: Tēnā koe Mr Speaker. Kia ora tātou. How does he propose in the event that Ebola might reach these shores that we ensure that access to health services is equally available for everyone particularly for vulnerable communities many of which include Māori Pasifika and those on low incomes?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The comprehensive steps we are taking are to protect all New Zealanders. There are more than 200 isolation rooms to deal with suspected cases right across all district health board hospitals and four specialist units one of which of course is at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland. There is also extensive engagement across the primary health sector to ensure high levels of awareness and preparedness and of course this Government has worked very hard to increase access to primary care for all New Zealanders.Hon Annette King: Is he aware that Queensland our nearest neighbour with a population about the same as New Zealand has three isopod units to safely transport Ebola patients to high-level isolation? How many does New Zealand currently have and are more to be provided?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: We have four units and we are currently in the process of implementing their deployment in New Zealand.Simon O’Connor: What capacity is there across the health sector to deal with a suspected case of Ebola?Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN: The health sector is well prepared. There are more than 200 negative pressure isolation rooms across all district health boards around the country with specialist Ebola treatment facilities in Auckland Middlemore Wellington and Christchurch. Guidelines for health professionals in hospitals public health primary care and pharmacies have been distributed by the Ministry of Health. Relevant public health services are expected to undertake timely and effective management of ill travellers at borders and all public health services are expected to manage routine public health activities including contact tracing in response to a suspected or confirmed case.