11. Question No. 11—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 11—Health11. Dr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of Health: How many of the 24 initiatives in the 2023 winter plan have resulted in patients actually being treated and what evidence if any does she have that the plan has reduced pressure on hospital emergency departments (EDs)?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): This year a comprehensive winter plan was put in place to ease pressure on the whole health system. As that member is aware the plan included new pathways to treatment as well as actions across the system to better manage acute demand including expediting needs assessments vaccination data and staffing projects. Of the interventions that are new treatment pathways I am advised there have been 50000 free consultations in pharmacies with a minor health condition scheme; over 20000 calls diverted to the clinical telehealth service since December 2022 by eligible practices for overflow and after-hours support with more eligible services signing up. The clinical telehealth service pilot for ambulance staff has seen over 1200 patients nationally treated in the community and avoiding a trip to the emergency departments since the start of the year. In answer to the second part of the question I am certain the plan reduced pressure on emergency rooms—had we not vaccinated over 1.2 million people for influenza over 600000 people for COVID or over 340000 children for their routine immunisations. Although we are almost through the winter it is not finished yet and a full and comprehensive evaluation of the winter plan and its impact on the system will happen once winter is over.Dr Shane Reti: Point of order. I didn't ask how many people had participated in any number of initiatives. My primary question on notice asked How many of the 24 initiatives in the 2023 winter plan have resulted in patients actually being [seen]"? "How many of the 24 initiatives" was my question.SPEAKER: Yeah. I'm not an expert in this area but I did hear three distinct areas. Maybe the—[Interruption] Who was that? I'm trying to do a ruling. It's really unhelpful people interrupting. Maybe the Minister can help me in making that discern but I thought I heard you mention three of those initiatives. Am I right or—Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Mr Speaker yes. I did name three but the answer would be 11 of the initiatives treat people.Dr Shane Reti: What specific actions is she taking to ensure that Oamaru ED will not have to close for a fourth time this year?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Those contingencies are managed by local clinicians and it is important that those plans are in place to make sure that patients are looked after when staffing levels are low. Te Whatu Ora has taken responsibility for increasing the resourcing that was previously provided to the district health board to make it more able to face these challenges and works in the longer term with that centre—and the trust that owns it—in order to address the staffing challenges it faces.Dr Shane Reti: How many people have been diverted to other hospitals because Oamaru ED has been closed?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: That's a very precise question. That does occasionally happen and it is not ideal but it is important that when that decision is necessary clinicians are supported to make it to take care of people.Dr Shane Reti: Have any patients been diverted to other hospitals because Oamaru ED has been closed?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: I am aware that patients were referred both in advance of the change and during the time when staffing levels were low.Dr Shane Reti: Why is she unable to report ED wait time data until two weeks after the election given it has been previously reported monthly for decades?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: It is not me who reports ED wait time data. Te Whatu Ora has a responsibility to do that. They have written a very long report on the appropriate process for doing so and if that member wants accurate information the processes that are outlined in that report need to be followed."