8. Question No. 8—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 8—Health8. Dr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of Health: What is his target if any for the reduction over the next 12 months in the number of people waiting more than four months for a first specialist appointment and what specific steps if any will he take to achieve this?Hon PEENI HENARE (Associate Minister of Health (Māori Health)) on behalf of the Minister of Health: I've been advised that under the current system and without any change it could have taken between three and five years to address the current waiting lists. That is why this morning it was announced a task force will systematically go through the waiting list and develop a plan to clear the backlog. This is the first opportunity we have had to address a major nationwide health problem treating the health system as a single nationwide health system. It is my expectation that with this approach we can clear the backlog faster than had we not taken this measure. However I am realistic enough to know that COVID is still with us and that future possible outbreaks will continue to create challenges for our health system. Today's announcement is every bit we can to make sure that we can continue to serve our population.Dr Shane Reti: Why has he waited until now to accept that ballooning waiting lists are even a problem given waiting lists have increased by thousands every single year since this Government came to power?Hon PEENI HENARE: On behalf of the Minister: that's exactly why when we came into Government we looked to serious health reform work knowing full well that the system did not deliver in its entirety to our entire population. We made it quite clear that the postcode lottery doesn't work when it looks towards servicing our health needs in this country. That's why the health reform is important and this morning's announcement will make sure that we use all the levers of the new reformed health system to deal with this issue.Dr Shane Reti: Is announcing yet another working group really the best effort he can make for the 36000 people waiting more than four months to see a specialist?Hon PEENI HENARE: On behalf of the Minister: this morning's announcement is an important announcement to make sure that not only do we look towards the short-term challenges in front of us with the waiting list but also have a plan to the mid- and long—term in front of us and I find it rather interesting from that member when in this House last night he rubbished Māori health professionals over the past 200 years in the work that's being put forward for the Māori Health Authority and now he's calling this esteemed group of health professionals just another group.Dr Shane Reti: How many more people will be added to the waiting lists between now—[Interruption]SPEAKER: Order! Can I just ask senior members of the National Party to let their colleague ask a question without interruption.Dr Shane Reti: How many more people will be added to the waiting lists between now and when his working group presents its plan in another four months' time?Hon PEENI HENARE: On behalf of the Minister: I don't have those figures in front of me but what I will say is that currently DHBs are already working on the immediate plans to address these matters. This particular group will also provide us invaluable information and insight to make sure we have a medium- to longer-term plan.Dr Shane Reti: How many people have been added to first specialist assessment waiting lists every year since this Government came to power?Hon PEENI HENARE: On behalf of the Minister: I don't have that information at hand. I'm sure if the member puts it in writing he'll get a fulsome answer.