Chadwick Steve: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Question No. 3 to Minister 
Chadwick Steve: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Question No. 3 to Minister 
[Volume:617;Page:13301] 
1. STEVE CHADWICK (Labour—Rotorua) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: What is she doing to improve access to orthopaedic services? 
Hon ANNETTE KING (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Today the Government announced a major initiative aimed at doubling the number of publicly funded hip and knee replacement operations performed in hospitals over the next 4 years. This increase in operations will bring huge relief to thousands of New Zealanders by ensuring access to the most effective treatment option for patients suffering high levels of immobility and crippling pain. The project aims to ensure that in the future over 9300 New Zealanders will each year regain their physical independence. 
Steve Chadwick 
: How many more operations will occur as a result of this initiative? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: In the first year this initiative will result in an extra 1890 major joint replacements. In the first year the cost will be $30 million. By the fourth year if not sooner we plan to have doubled the current number of major joint-replacement operations being performed. That is an extra 4665 operations at a cost of up to $70 million a year. This is not a one-off project. It is one that will go on year in year out. 
Heather Roy 
: Can the Minister explain how this secretly decided announcement which district health boards did not ask for is anything but blatant electioneering to counter horror election year waiting-list stories— 
Government Members 
: Oh! 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I have made a ruling and that ruling will apply to everybody. There is to be no interjection while questions are being asked. I ask the member to please start again. 
Heather Roy 
: Can the Minister explain how this secretly decided announcement which district health boards did not ask for— 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. This happened yesterday and I indicated that I would raise more points of order when questions themselves were being unnecessary in terms of epithets statements etc. What does the term “secretly” have to do with that? Any discussion in Cabinet is by its very nature taken internally. 
Hon Richard Prebble 
: Once upon a time discussions in Cabinet were secret but now they are leaked regularly. What we have here is one of those ones that were kept secret as opposed to those ones that the Prime Minister’s ninth floor spin doctors decide to deliver sometimes even before the discussion has been held. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I think it would be a bit rough to rule out the word “secret”. The member can carry on. 
Heather Roy 
: Can the Minister explain how this secretly decided announcement which district health boards did not ask for is anything but blatant electioneering to counter horror election year waiting list stories when for 4 years she has devolved funding and priorities to the boards yet now they have been told: “Here comes the money but it’s only for hip and knee replacements.”? 
Hon ANNETTE KING 
: I realise that the ACT party has been preoccupied but I am told that this is the worst-kept secret around—in fact the announcement is before the Budget. The district health boards have worked with the ministry on the project. The Orthopaedic Association has worked with the ministry and the district health boards on the project. I think everybody expected a project would be coming along except the ACT party. What I do know is that it is welcomed by thousands of New Zealanders and is a very good response to a need.