7. Question No. 7—HealthHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 7—Health7. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Health: Has he received any advice regarding the number of surgical procedures that did not take place as planned due to COVID-19; if so what is his best estimate of the number of these procedures?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK (Minister of Health): Talofa lava Mr Speaker. Budget 2020 included a one-off investment of $282.5 million to fund a planned care catch-up campaign following disruption caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic. That will fund an estimated 153000 surgeries and procedures radiology scans and first specialist appointments over the next three years. Preliminary data suggests that approximately 8500 elective and acute inpatient surgeries were deferred and 11100 minor procedures. I'm advised that the Budget 2020 funding will more than cover that level of deferred care.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he agree with Sarah Dalton of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists who said The health system will absolutely not be able to relieve the backlog in a year. No way in the world."?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I think what we've seen during the COVID period is an extraordinary response from our health system. People have been willing to step up and deliver care in new ways. I expect that people will be working as efficiently as possible to deliver as much care as possible.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is he saying by the Budget numbers that there will be a net increase of 120000 to 130000 elective procedures next year and if so why will he not publish data to confirm or refute that?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: I think the member misunderstands. There are of course a number of components of those surgeries and procedures radiology scans and first specialist appointments that are accounted for in the 153000 surgeries and procedures radiology scans and first specialist appointments that have been funded over the next three years by the Government in the Budget. It is a significant investment; make no mistake. Also we do note that the hospitals are having to work in different ways—allowing more space extra cleaning routines and so on—because of COVID but we are prepared to invest in our health system. It has been under-invested in for a very long time and we will continue to invest. That is the record of this Government.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Will there be a specific quantitative target of elective procedures for 2020-2021 and if not why not?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: We have seen more planned care for more people under this Government and that is what we are absolutely focused on. Targets don't treat people; well-resourced doctors and nurses treat people. Under this Government we have 1500 more nurses we have 900 more doctors and we have over 600 more allied health workers. After nine long years of neglect the health system is getting the resources finally that it needs to provide the care that New Zealanders need and deserve.Hon Michael Woodhouse: If he is so sure that as a consequence of this investment more will be done why will he not publish the data that confirms this?Hon Dr DAVID CLARK: We continue to publish data that shows more care is being received by more people. That is the record of this Government."