Stewart Barbara: Budget Debate 
Stewart Barbara: Budget Debate 
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BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
: 
 On behalf of New Zealand First I rise to speak to the health section of this 2004 Budget. It is commendable to increase the health budget. It is very commendable to increase progressively the spending on health over a number of years so that our health system can attempt to regain its former First World standing. Our rate of intervention in the health area has lagged well below that of the international average of countries we like to compare ourselves with—Australia Canada and Britain. The Minister acknowledged that fact earlier. 
Many New Zealanders would have had their hopes rekindled when they heard this Budget. They could see their hip and knee operations far closer than they had been for many many years. It is to be hoped that those hopes will be realised and not dashed before their very eyes. We know that many of the district health boards no longer have all the resources necessary to carry out those operations because firstly we are exporting New Zealand health professionals in ever-increasing numbers and one of the strategies must be to focus on workforce retention. It is an essential part of any health system. That workforce is urgently required if there is to be any reduction in waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery and of course for all other medical conditions. 
The second issue as reported in recent issues of the  
Dominion Post 
 is the performance challenges experienced by district health boards. It was disappointing and interesting to note that many district health boards are under higher than normal scrutiny because of performance concerns. Although we can applaud the fact that that performance has been recognised and action is being taken it is becoming increasingly apparent that many of those district health boards cannot meet their obligations because it is physically impossible for them to do so. Their emphasis on clerical rather than clinical management of patients has been a feature of recent times. 
It was interesting too to hear the Minister of Health say earlier this afternoon that the Government will pay for operations after they have been carried out. We do not want to see additional funding used for increased bureaucracy in much the same way that it has happened in the past. We will be looking for the appropriate use of the dollars that have been set aside for those major joint operations. 
New Zealand First was disappointed that there was nothing at all in this Budget for cataract operations. All members receive a lot of letters on this issue so it is something that does need to be eventually addressed. 
Jill Pettis 
: My 82-year-old mother is getting her cataracts done. 
BARBARA STEWART 
: Good! I am very pleased to hear that. We also need to ensure that the health of our young people and children is not neglected. The number of dentists providing free dental treatment for adolescents of high school age is now minimal and in some areas totally non-existent and this situation needs addressing urgently. We do not want to see those who can afford to pay for dental care having it while those who cannot afford to pay are missing out. We do not want a return to that situation and I can see that Mr Gallagher agrees with me there. Oral health is essential for everyone’s overall health and we want to see some action on this very important issue. 
We were also disappointed that there was nothing in this Budget to ensure that foreigners coming into this country are required to have their own health insurance policies. New Zealand taxpayers should not have to pick up the health debts left by foreigners who require medical attention particularly when it is so difficult for our New Zealand people to access the health system. We all know that there are not limitless dollars for health spending and this situation should not be occurring at all. 
Likewise for migrants the health screening has not gone far enough or fast enough. People entering New Zealand needing treatment for any medical condition should be identified before they come into the country and the decision made then on whether we should let them in. We cannot afford to be seen as a soft touch to cure the world of all its health ills. We really do need to ensure that the health of all New Zealanders is looked after before we look after the rest of the world. We are heavily indebted to Australia for the care that country provides for our cancer patients and we could not see any end provided for this in the Budget. 
The public of New Zealand need to have confidence in our health system and we will be keen to see the improved outputs in this area.