DHB could pay for patients to go private

Hutt Valley District Health Board is considering paying up to 30 per cent of the costs of patients going private for surgery in a bid to cut its waiting lists, it was reported today.

The DHB is looking at making the offer to people waiting for surgery whose need is not severe enough to get it within six months in the public system, the Dominion Post said.

It said idea came from board member Peter McCardle, a former National and New Zealand First MP.

DHB chief executive Chai Chuah said the idea was at an early stage and the whether or not it would be implemented was not yet known.

- NZPA