Watts SimonSIMON WATTS (National—North Shore): I rise to speak on the independent review into the deaths of two people who tested positive with COVID-19 who were self-isolating and I wish to acknowledge the ACT member for bringing this urgent debate to this House. I also want to acknowledge the two gentlemen one 60 years old and one 50 years old from Glen Eden and Mount Eden who died on 3 November and 5 November. I want to acknowledge their family their whānau and their friends. These were tragic deaths and that is acknowledged in this House.I also want to acknowledge the independent committee that has prepared this report in particular Dr Jonathan Christiansen the chief medical officer from Waitematā District Health Board and Dr Penny Andrew—both individuals that I have worked with closely when I was at that district health board both individuals who I hold in very high regard and are respected within their sector. I also want to acknowledge Selah Hart who has contributed as part of that committee as well—her contribution in terms of Māori health and progress within that sector is to be acknowledged—and Norma Lane who previously was a member of the executive with St John Ambulance.The report indicated four recommendations and I think we've heard in the House today what they are but the need for earlier assessment of clinical safety welfare and mental health was one of the significant findings. The finding in regards to better connectivity between the parts of the system and particularly around the clinical oversight was also a factor that played into the sad outcome that we were dealing with here and the heightened focus around equity and cultural safety particularly for Māori and Pasifika. Lastly I think the important recommendation was around the need for strong clinical governance and adequate reporting systems and the need for that to be very agile in terms of the pace at which it operates. These deaths as the committee and the panel have found—both deaths—were potentially preventable and there were missed opportunities contributing to that outcome.The accountability for the system failures falls squarely with the Minister and this Government. The lack of preparedness in regards to COVID-19 has been highlighted by the findings recently in the last couple of weeks by Sir Brian Roche. The lack of planning in the response has been indicated—the Government had adequate time to prepare for this eventuality—and the lack of engagement with primary care which I think has been raised and particularly by Dr Shane Reti. Primary care which sits at the heart of delivery of healthcare services within our communities; primary care who were left outside for too long before being engaged.I also want to acknowledge the St John Ambulance crews who responded to at least one of the victims according to media reports and just acknowledge the challenges and difficulties which those individuals face day to day as first responders in responding to what are difficult clinical challenges and the role which they do and for all the officers that are out there right now protecting and keeping our community safe.The Deputy Prime Minister noted after the sad passing of these two individuals that at the time he remained confident in the self-isolation system. The Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield was quoted just after saying that the home isolation system was working well overall. It is clear—crystal clear—from this independent review that the findings of the review show that the reality of the situation of systematic failures is very different from what has been quoted.I also want to just acknowledge some of the comments that the Minister of Health made this evening—acknowledgment that actually part of this failure is due to the poor delivery of prior Governments. In a quote: sometimes you … don't catch up fast enough." was the type of feedback that we've had from a Minister. What this shows very clearly is a Minister who is not willing to take responsibility a Minister who is not willing to accept the accountability of his office and as a result the system has failed two Kiwis.The lesson here from these findings is that we need to and must do better. We must protect those most vulnerable within our communities and this Government this House must take every action necessary in order to protect those individuals and take accountability for those actions as and when they are required. Mr Speaker thank you."