Shane Reti: No teeth in Budget 2021, no new hospital for Whangārei or dental funding

Deputy leader Dr Shane Reti with National Party leader Judith Collins and the finance team on their way to the Budget 2021 lockdown. Photo / Supplied

FROM PARLIAMENT

The Budget is an important annual event when the Government's books are opened and funding is allocated for the next four years.

I was privileged to be part of the lock-up team for the first time, which is the hour before the Budget is formally presented to the House. The lock-up is a time to quickly explore the Budget and then to contribute key points in one's portfolio areas to the leader's 20-minute speech reply, which is delivered 90 minutes later.

By way of example, it reminded me of being back in an exam room with 15 people around a table in silence until the Treasury folk see the clock touch 1pm, at which point they hand out the Budget papers.

My particular task was to explore the health budget. This year was unusual because weeks earlier it had literally "fallen off the back of a lorry", so to speak, and into my hands as a draft Budget letter from the health minister to the finance minister.

This draft outlined what was in the Budget and what was not, and it is the latter and the options to reduce costs that one normally never sees.

The options to reduce costs and "seek less funding in Budget 2021" gave examples such as reducing specialist services at provincial hospitals and changing the eligibility for GP subsidies, rest home eligibility and disability support services. This will need to be closely watched.

At a local level I was interested in several items. How much had Northland DHB been given to pay hard-working nurses and doctors for the next year? Was the dental promise for 2021 maintained and was there money for Northland's hospital upgrade?

What the Budget showed was that there was around an extra $50 million of new money for operating expenses, and the DHB will need to figure out how it will fit into that envelope.

The campaign promise last year was for 20 mobile dental clinics and an increase to the emergency dental grant in 2021. This was not in the Budget.

I was especially looking for any funding for a potential upgrade of Whangārei Hospital. It had been reported that the hospital was at the top of the list for an upgrade.

Imagine my surprise, then, when there was nothing in the Budget - and when I asked ministerial questions, I was told we weren't even on a confirmed list. It would seem more work needs to be done and the DHB can anticipate my support for this.

Reply 11534 (2021) has been answered to Dr Shane Reti 14 April 2021
Portfolio: Health (Hon Andrew Little)
Question: Is Whangārei Hospital the highest priority major hospital redevelopment in New Zealand ?
Reply: Budget 2020 did not include funding for the major redevelopment of Whangārei Hospital. The Government will use advice provided by central agencies to determine the allocation of funding as part of Budget 2021 and announcements will be made at the appropriate time.
Reply 11529 (2021) has been answered to Dr Shane Reti 14 April 2021
Portfolio: Health (Hon Andrew Little)
Question: Has a final business case been accepted for the major hospital redevelopment at Whangārei hospital, and if so, what documents describe the final business case, listed by date, title, author and audience ?
Reply: I am advised that the Detailed Business Case for the major redevelopment of Whangārei Hospital has not been completed by Northland District Health Board.

• Dr Shane Reti is deputy leader of the National Party and a list MP based in Whangārei.