1. Question No. 1—HealthBROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Minister of HealthORAL QUESTIONSQUESTIONS TO MINISTERSQuestion No. 1—Health1. BROOKE VAN VELDEN (Deputy Leader—ACT) to the Minister of Health: What expectations does the Minister have of the Ministry of Health for meeting its obligations under the End of Life Choice Act which comes into force in 11 months?Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): New Zealanders voted for the End of Life Choice Act at the referendum and we are committed to honouring and implementing that decision. I have high expectations that the Ministry of Health will meet its obligations to implement the End of Life Choice Act within the 11-month time frame. The ministry has 10 work streams under way to implement what is required in the Act.Brooke van Velden: Is the Minister confident that the Ministry of Health will meet all of its obligations by 6 November 2021 and can he give assurance to those suffering from a terminal illness hoping to access end of life choice that they will not needlessly suffer for one day more due to set-up delays?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The ministry and indeed the Government has an obligation to ensure in accordance with the End of Life Choice Act that it is implemented from I think 7 November 2021. All administrative matters regulations committees review bodies and registrars have to be appointed and in place and systems functioning by that date and they will be.Brooke van Velden: Will he be setting high expectations for the Director-General of Health that all doctors nurse practitioners pharmacists and psychiatrists will be highly aware of the ability to join a support and consultation group so that people in remote areas will have access to end of life choice?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: All of those matters will have to be in place in order for the Act to be operative. It's an obligation under the Act in light of the referendum result for that Act to enter into force and therefore to be operative from 7 November 2021. All of those matters that the member has referred to will be attended to and will be in place in time for the Act to enter into force.Brooke van Velden: Does he intend to publish a timetable for the set-up of the Support and Consultation for End of Life in New Zealand Group registrar's office and review committee so that those in the medical profession and other concerned groups know what is happening and when?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: The ministry is aware of its obligations to have those matters all in place but I'm happy to ensure that in very short order a timetable is produced laying out the work including the consultation and stakeholder engagement process so that all those matters are ready as soon as the legislation comes into effect. I've already indicated to that member that I'm very keen for her and her party as the sponsors of the legislation to be actively involved and engaged in those processes and I will make sure that that happens.Brooke van Velden: Will the Minister commit to a fully public process seeking nominations for the committee that will review cases where people use the End of Life Choice Act?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: All of the statutory appointments required under the legislation will go through the usual appointment process. That typically involves advertising for expressions of interest. There's then a standard recruitment phase interviewing short-listed candidates and then it goes through the Cabinet honours and appointments subcommittee and all of that will be done as I've indicated in time for the legislation to take effect. Brooke van Velden: Will he set the expectation for the Ministry of Health to work with the Medical Council of New Zealand and colleges to develop clinical guidelines for practitioners?Hon ANDREW LITTLE: In my engagements with the ministry so far they've indicated they've established the work streams. They understand the stakeholder engagement requirements on them to make those effective and I'm confident that there will be good quality engagement with the New Zealand Medical Association and the various professional colleges.