Stewart Barbara: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Stewart Barbara: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:633;Page:4776] 
11.  
BARBARA STEWART (NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Has his ministry ever researched possible methods of separating acute surgery from elective surgery as advocated by senior medical staff in Christchurch following the culling of 5121 patients from Canterbury District Health Board waiting lists? 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Yes the ministry is well aware of some very interesting work in this area that is actually being pioneered at the Canterbury District Health Board and believes that it will help increase the elective surgery throughput—indeed throughout New Zealand if some of those ideas were to travel. 
Barbara Stewart 
: Does he expect the public system to have the increased capacity necessary to perform all of the elective surgery required; if so when? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: The member may or may not be aware that in the case of the Canterbury District Health Board my predecessor the Hon Annette King released more than $20 million 15 months ago to build four new theatres just to the north of the city. They are due to open in March of next year and will be used either substantially or exclusively for electives. 
Maryan Street 
: What reports has he received on the amount of in-patient activity in New Zealand’s public hospitals? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Data released today shows that the 2005-06 financial year was the busiest year on record in New Zealand’s public hospitals. It shows that since the election of the Labour-led Government total surgery numbers are up by just over 5 percent and elective surgery within that is up by just over 6 percent. Medical cases have increased by 29 percent. Whichever way one looks at it more people are being treated in our hospitals than ever before. [ 
Interruption 
] 
Hon Trevor Mallard 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I know that standards have dropped somewhat but the comment from Tony Ryall was clearly out of order. 
Madam SPEAKER 
: Would the member please— 
Hon Tony Ryall 
: I apologise. 
Barbara Stewart 
: Does the Minister consider that managing surgical waiting lists by imposing financial penalties on district health boards is an acceptable long-term strategy; if so why? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: I think the best way to answer that question is to say that the Canterbury District Health Board has decided that the future is best managed by promising what can be delivered and not more than that. It is not acceptable to make a promise and then break it. It is not acceptable to say “yes” to all comers when some people need attention faster than others. That is the basis of the booking system introduced under National. 
Barbara Stewart 
: Is he aware that Christchurch Hospital is reportedly failing to meet international standards of the speedy treatment of gallstones and risks compounding the problem by axing gallstone sufferers from its elective waiting lists and when can those patients expect any improvement in their situation? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: As it happens yes I am aware. The Canterbury District Health Board is seriously considering treating all gall bladder removals as acute cases. It is under serious consideration now.