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What specific changes, if any, is the Minister or any of the departments they are responsible for making to the design of healthcare delivery itself to ensure that equity is achieved through earlier, proactive, community-based care rather than downstream hospital treatment?

Answered Question 55 (2026)
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Asked by

Teanau Tuiono

List MP · Green Party

Question

  • What specific changes, if any, is the Minister or any of the departments they are responsible for making to the design of healthcare delivery itself to ensure that equity is achieved through earlier, proactive, community-based care rather than downstream hospital treatment?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

Health New Zealand’s role is to deliver quality, affordable healthcare for all New Zealanders. It leads the day-to-day planning and delivery of publicly funded hospital, primary, and community health services. Consideration of equity of access is a standard part of designing health services. Examples of changes to healthcare delivery include the commissioning of increased access to primary care, after-hours service, and telehealth.