6. Question No. 6—HealthDr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of HealthQuestion No. 6—Health6. Dr SHANE RETI (National) to the Minister of Health: Does she agree with Rob Campbell former chair of Health NZ that the health reforms are half-baked" and that the Government should declare a "health crisis worthy of a crisis response"; if not why not?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL (Minister of Health): No a new national health system will help more people get better services closer to home tackle health inequalities by working in partnership with Māori and help New Zealanders live longer healthier lives. The need for reform is clear. Turning around under-resourcing and inequities will take years but we make progress every day. Our health system has been through a crisis—it's called a pandemic—and has delivered some of the best outcomes in the world. However I acknowledge it continues to face significant pressures and that's why I've set priorities for Te Whatu Ora around winter preparedness workforce and wait-lists. Our national health system has the power to tackle the complex problems our system faces and there is urgent work under way to do so. Dr Shane Reti: Does she agree with the Prime Minister who when asked in response to Rob Campbell's speech "What part of the health reforms are actually working?" gave elective surgery as an example stating that elective surgery was working in a more productive way?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Yes I do agree with that comment. Elective surgery is working in a more productive way. For example we are no longer tolerating the way in which Māori would be bumped off waiting lists because of the systemic way in which they were ignored by our health system. We have a number of responses to the reset and restore task force that is under way that it will deliver improved care. Dr Shane Reti: What is her response to a Dunedin Hospital radiation oncologist who is reported as saying "Don't get cancer in Dunedin." because the staffing crisis has forced the hospital to suspend services for people with brain tumours and gynaecological cancers?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: I am concerned about the situation for radiation oncology and what I can say is that whereas that DHB might have been left in the past to deal with that situation individually we now have a national health service that is coordinating across specialists around the country to make sure those people get the care they need.Dr Shane Reti: Isn't the previous chair of Health New Zealand Rob Campbell absolutely right when he says that the health reforms have been excessively focused on Wellington who turned their backs on the citizens they serve?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Absolutely not and I look at the Pae Ora legislation and the numerous avenues we are giving to community voice in the health system—for example through the rural health strategy; for example through iwi Māori partnership boards and the work of localities. It will be a better system for community and patient voice than we ever had. Dr Shane Reti: Is it a good outcome for New Zealanders that after spending tens of millions of dollars on consultants to reform a health system that now has the most number of people ever on wait-lists the previous chair states that the health reforms are half-baked and that the interim health plan is "highly compromised"? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: Last week that member was criticising the reforms for existing at all; this week he is on the side of someone who says they don't go far enough. He should make up his mind.Dr Shane Reti: What is her response to Rob Campbell's statement that Health New Zealand "in its current form cannot deliver the level of radical change which is required" and "Inadequacy and things which are just plain wrong will persist"?Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL: If we want to go into all of Rob Campbell's statements then I think the matter that led to Mr Campbell's having to leave his role—if I remind the member of that—was because he was taking pot-shots at that party. So no I do not believe that is the case at all. There needs to be a clear plan. I have set expectations as Minister that Te Whatu Ora is focused on winter workforce and wait-lists—the things that matter to New Zealand."