Simeon Brown announces sweeping changes to health system legislation

Health Minister Simeon Brown says the Government is putting health targets into law to deliver better results. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The Government has announced a raft of legislative changes designed to refocus the health system on outcomes.

Topping the list of these changes will be enshrining health targets in law. Health targets were a key part of the previous National Government’s health policy, but they were not mandated in legislation and were removed by the previous Labour-led Government.

Health Minister Simeon Brown today said: “We’re putting health targets into law so every part of the system is focused on delivering faster care, shorter wait times, higher immunisation rates and real results”.

Cabinet has approved a suite of amendments to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. This is the law used to disestablish the District Health Boards and create Health New Zealand.

“These changes are about improving health outcomes by making sure the system is focused on delivery, not bogged down in doing the same thing twice. That means better care for patients through a more connected, transparent, and effective health system,” Brown said.

The amendment bill will be introduced into Parliament in the coming weeks.

The Government says key changes include:

• Establishing a new statutory purpose to ensure all patients have access to timely, quality healthcare.
• Legislated health targets to lock in accountability and ensure New Zealand’s health system is measured and managed.
• Requiring all health strategies to give effect to these targets.
• Stronger governance and financial oversight within Health New Zealand.
• Making the delivery of health infrastructure a core legislated function of Health New Zealand.
• Establishing a permanent infrastructure committee to carry out functions related to the delivery of physical health infrastructure by Health New Zealand.
• The Director-General of Health (or delegate) being able to attend Health New Zealand board meetings to support monitoring.
• Ensuring simplified board appointment rules that select the best person for the job, based on skills and delivery.
• Clarifying public service integrity rules apply to the Health New Zealand board, CEO and staff so patients know they’re held to the highest standards.
• Removing audit requirements for the NZ Health Plan, aligning with other Crown entity requirements.
• Repealing the Health Charter and Sector Principles to reduce red tape.
• Enhancing the role of the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee to provide advice to the minister and the Health New Zealand board, which will be taken into account at the national level.
• Clarifying and streamlining iwi-Māori Partnership Boards (IMPBs). IMPBs’ focus will shift from local service design and delivery to engaging with communities on local perspectives and Māori health outcomes.