In a pre-budget announcement, the Government says it’s increasing its funding for District Health Boards, as well as additional funding to deliver approximately 153,000 more surgeries and procedures, radiology scans and specialist appointments to help clear the COVID-19 backlog.

The Government says an extra $3.92 billion dollars is being pumped into DHBs over the next four years.

That’s an increase of $980 million dollars per year and takes the annual budget for DHBs to $15.274 billion. DHBs are also contracted by the Ministry on behalf of the Crown to provide additional national services.

 Minsters have also approved a one-off investment of $282.5 million (including $50 million of capital) in planned care such as elective surgery, radiology scans, assessments and follow-ups, and procedures completed in outpatients’ facilities.

 “This funding will support DHBs to improve their financial sustainability and clinical performance. It will enable them to meet costs related to a growing and ageing population, as well as already agreed wage increases and inflation,” David Clark said.

Health Minister Dr David Clark says we can’t take anything for granted. “One of the key lessons of COVID-19 is the need for a strong and sustainable public health and disability system.”

‘He says after what the country has gone through in recent months, and from the devastation we have seen to under-prepared health systems around the world, it is absolutely critical that as a country we continue to invest in and build up the capacity of our health system. That is what the Government is committed to.”

 Finance Minister Grant Robertson said the different abilities of Governments around the world to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted just how important it is to have well-funded public services like our health system.

 “We’ve seen before the damage that can be done when funding isn’t provided in areas like health and education during and after a crisis to cover population and cost pressure growth. It can take years to catch up and make sure everyone is receiving timely treatment.”

“Although critical and urgent care continued even under Alert Level Four, we know that many New Zealanders had procedures delayed,” David Clark said.

“Our hospitals are now returning to a more normal level of service, but it will take time to recover and deal with the backlog.

“We don’t want people having to wait for care any longer than necessary. This extra investment in planned care will fund an estimated 153,000 surgeries and procedures, radiology scans, and specialist appointments over the next three years.

 “We anticipate DHBs will work with local private providers to address waiting list backlogs as effectively and as quickly as possible.