Has Health New Zealand relied on outsourcing, additional clinics, or contracted theatre sessions to meet elective or other health targets while maintaining unfilled clinical vacancies; if so, what was the total expenditure on outsourced services during 2025 and January-February 2026?

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand has always had clinical vacancies due to the size and nature of its clinical workforce. It uses outsourcing arrangements and additional clinics in tandem with routine treatment schedules to increase overall service capacity and support timely access to care for all New Zealanders. I am further advised that Health NZ cannot provide total expenditure for services by health target as it conducts outsourcing for a wide-range of clinical services, not just for services relating to health targets.