Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

All New Zealanders have the right to accessible, quality public health services. While there
is an increasing focus on primary care and preventive health approaches, hospitals must be
supported to provide secondary and tertiary services and to work in an integrated manner
with other health sectors. This will enable the health sector to work efficiently and effectively
by maximising the utilisation of health resources. New Zealanders should have safe,
sustainable, quality driven clinical services provided as close to home as practicable.
Central to this is the collaboration of DHBs at both regional and national levels. Clinical and
administrative collaboration will remove the variability that can occur as a result of where
someone lives rather than specific needs. This will not impact on a DHBs‟ ability to ensure
services meet the specific health needs of their communities.
Acute Service
Ensuring access to the appropriate level of acute care remains a challenge for the health
sector. DHBs struggle to ensure that hospital emergency department services are available
in a timely manner for those who require hospital level care. Accessing primary care
services from emergency departments is not an effective use of health resource. New
Zealanders need to receive clear messaging about where to go to access the health
services they require, and what these services will cost.
Elective services
Research undertaken by the Auditor-General shows that access to surgery is often a product
of where you live rather than your needs. So-called “post code” access to elective services
is not acceptable for New Zealanders. National guidelines regarding prioritisation, waiting
times and condition treatment pathways will result in consistency and clarity in the delivery of
elective services.
Labour will support the development of strong regional and/or national networks to
make the most efficient use of health resources.
Labour will support the development of national services, where appropriate, to
deliver specialised care and encourage innovative practice.
Labour will review the capital charging regime as it applies to public hospitals.
Labour will ensure a coordinated hospital and specialist care system with consistent
access criteria, quality and timeliness across New Zealand.
Labour will develop nationwide tools for elective surgery prioritisation based around
timeliness, equity and quality.
Labour will develop a model of care for acute services that encompasses the needs
of patients, primary care and hospital emergency departments.
Labour will develop sustainable and high quality palliative care services.
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