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Asked by Ayesha Verrall · List MP · Labour Party
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Showing 1151 to 1200 of 1569 written question sets.

Answered

Question 17234 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many risks for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 are currently rated as deteriorating, and what is the nature of those deteriorating risks, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that no risks are rated as deteriorating.

Answered

17236, 17237 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 17236 (matches this search)

    How is Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 currently tracking against its approved budget - is the project within budget, forecast to overspend, or underspent, if overspending is forecast, by how much and what…

  • 17237 (matches this search)

    Is there any underspend currently recorded or forecast for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2, if so, what is the value of the underspend and what is the reason for it, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 is currently tracking within the approved budget.

Answered

Question 17238 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the approved budget for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 increased since funding was first approved, if so, by how much has the budget increased in total, on what dates were budget increases approved, and…

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that the approved budget for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 has increased since funding was first approved. I refer the Member to the following press release:…

Answered

Question 17241 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the original approved budget for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 at the time funding was first established, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised the original budget approved for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 was $336,960,000.

Answered

Question 17242 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    On what date was funding for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 first approved, and by which Cabinet decision was that funding approved, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised the original budget for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 was approved by joint Ministers in August 2020.

Answered

Question 17245 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the current total approved budget for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised the current total approved budget for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 is $462,599,000. I also refer the Member to Written Parliamentary Question 17249 (2026).

Answered

Question 17249 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage Two experienced any delays to its planned timeline, if so, by how long has the project been delayed in total, what are the reasons for each delay, and what steps are being…

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage 2 has experienced delays against its planned timeline. Two change requests approved under the previous Government reset the projected completion date initially…

Answered

Question 17250 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What was the original projected completion date, or opening / go-live date, for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage Two at the time funding was first approved, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to Parliamentary Written Question 17249 (2026).

Answered

Question 17251 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the current expected completion date, or opening / go-live date, for Taranaki Base Hospital Redevelopment - Project Maunga - Stage Two, if any?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised the current date for practical completion is May 2026 and the current go-live date is June 2026.

Answered

Question 17281 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is the wait time for insulin pump training reflected in publicly reported data on wait times for first specialist appointments, if not, why not?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that wait times for insulin pump training is not reflected in publicly reported first specialist appointment (FSA) data because pump therapy is initiated through follow-up specialist care, not at the first appointment.

Answered

Question 17282 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How long are people waiting for free or publicly-funded training in the use of an insulin pump, broken down by district?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not hold this information nationally, and as such, providing this data would require staff to undertake a substantial manual collation exercise and divert staff from their core duties. In…

Answered

Question 17283 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is there a waiting list for free or publicly funded insulin pump training, if so, in which districts?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that all Health New Zealand districts currently have a wait list to access funded insulin pump training, except for Wairarapa, Bay of Plenty, and Waikato.

Answered

Question 17292 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    In districts where the waitlists for publicly funded training to use insulin pumps are over a year, what are patients with type 1 diabetes expected to do?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that those who are waiting for a funded insulin pump are advised to continue with their usual diabetes management, such as subcutaneous insulin, as well as their ongoing specialist care from a multidisciplinary team. I am…

Answered

Question 17294 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which districts, if any, offer free training for people with type 1 diabetes to learn how to use an insulin pump?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that all education on managing a funded insulin pump is free to patients as part of Pharmac's funding criteria.

Answered

Question 16884 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What specific infection prevention and control advice, if any, did Health NZ rely on to prohibit NZNO nurses from wearing stickers during industrial action?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) functions provided advice regarding NZNO strikes not complying with Health NZ policies on uniform and environmental requirements, including not wearing uniforms…

Answered

Question 16903 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    How many people collected prescriptions without co-payment charge under the Prescription Subsidy Scheme after reaching the 20-prescription threshold in the period 01/02/2025 - 31/01/2026?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that between 1 February 2025 and 31 January 2026, 146,092 individuals reached the 20-prescription threshold and subsequently collected a prescription without co-payment charge under the Prescription Subsidy Scheme.

Answered

Question 16923 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What contingency arrangements, if any, exist to ensure older New Zealanders and disabled people receiving government funded home-based care are not left without essential care during a fuel disruption?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that if New Zealand was to move into phase 3 or 4 of the Fuel Response Plan, the Government’s approach would prioritise life supporting and essential health services. The expectation is that Home and Community Support Services…

Answered

Question 16924 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    How many New Zealanders currently receive government funded home support services, and what proportion of those visits are delivered in rural or non-urban areas?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that approximately 75,000 people receive home service support funded by Health New Zealand. I am further advised that data showing the proportion of visits delivered in rural or non-urban areas is not collected.

Answered

Question 16925 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Are government funded home and community support providers, or the workers they employ, designated as critical customers under the Fuel Response Plan 2026, if not why not?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to Written Parliamentary Questions 12083 (2026) and 12346 (2026).

Answered

Question 16926 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12076 (2026), will Health NZ collect data on the number of funded home support workers who rely on private vehicles to reach clients, and if so, by what date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand does not propose to collect data on how many home and support workers use a private vehicle. The travel funding model is based on distance travelled and time taken, not on vehicle ownership.

Answered

Question 16927 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Does Pharmac maintain a prioritisation list identifying life-critical medicines, such as insulin, anticoagulants and immunosuppressants, that would receive priority distribution in the event of a supply-chain disruption; if so, when was…

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Pharmac does not maintain a prioritisation list. It is not always possible to prioritise supply of one medicine above another, as medicines are used by different people, for different conditions, and with different…

Answered

Question 16930 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12362 (2026), when did Ministry of Health officials commence the assessment of supply-chain risks to pharmaceuticals and medical devices arising from a sustained fuel disruption, and when is that assessment expected to…

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

Officials from the Ministry of Health have been working with health agencies on assessing any risks to the supply chain for pharmaceuticals and medical devices since March 2026. This work continues on an ongoing basis.

Answered

Question 16931 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12362 (2026), will the outcome of the assessment be made publicly available; and if so, in what form and by what date?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

Supply-chain risks are being assessed on an ongoing basis as part of the health system response to the Middle East conflict. Further information on detailed health sector-specific requirements will be provided to the sector in line with…

Answered

Question 16936 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12358 (2026), which specific essential medicines funded by Pharmac currently have less than the typical two-month domestic stock level, if any?

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised Pharmac regularly manages between 60-80 medicine supply issues (where stock at the supplier is reported to be less than 2 months) at any one time, with the majority of these avoiding patient-level impact. If a supply issue is…

Answered

Question 16937 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12357 (2026), given that Pharmac does not own the stock of funded medicines excluding vaccines, what enforcement mechanisms, if any, apply if a supplier fails to hold the contractually required stock level, and how many…

Answered by

Hon David Seymour

Member for Epsom · ACT Party · Associate Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Pharmac has contractual arrangements with suppliers to hold certain amounts of stock in the country. Typically, this is two months for medicines. If a suppliers’ stock fall below these levels they are contractually…

Answered

Question 16961 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12080 (2026), which rescue helicopter bases, if any, currently hold less than two weeks of aviation fuel reserves?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that as at 23 April 2026, two emergency air ambulance helicopter bases held less than two weeks of aviation fuel reserves based on current utilisation rates: • Tauranga base – approximately 1.8 weeks • Taupo base –…

Answered

Question 16962 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment provided Health New Zealand with written assurances regarding the volume of aviation fuel that will be allocated to rescue helicopter services in each phase of the Fuel Response Plan…

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that a Health Sector Fuel Response Plan is being developed which will confirm what Phases 2, 3 and 4 of the Fuel Response Plan would mean for health services. New Zealand is currently in Phase 1 of the Fuel Response Plan,…

Answered

Question 16963 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12078 (2026), which two rescue helicopter bases in New Zealand rely on airport fuel storage rather than holding their own fuel supplies, and what contingency arrangements have been made for each?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Nelson and Queenstown emergency air ambulance helicopter bases rely on airport fuel storage rather than holding their own significant on-site fuel supplies. Contingency arrangements for Nelson base include: • mobile fuel…

Answered

Question 16964 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12079 (2026), are rescue helicopter operators themselves formally designated critical customers under the Fuel Response Plan 2026, in addition to being categorised as life-preserving services in Band A?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that emergency air ambulance helicopter services support search and rescue operations, especially when winch capability is required. These emergency air ambulance services are defined as critical customers in Fuel Response…

Answered

Question 16965 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What advice, if any, has Health New Zealand received from St John and Wellington Free Ambulance regarding their ability to maintain normal service levels if retail fuel supply is disrupted for 7, 14, or 30 days plus?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that emergency road ambulance services are included in Band A of the Fuel Response Plan 2026, which is the highest priority group of recipients for fuel. I am further advised that emergency road ambulance services do not have…

Answered

Question 16966 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Have St John and Wellington Free Ambulance undertaken fuel-disruption scenario exercises in the past three years, and if so, what were the key findings?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that ambulance services routinely test different scenarios that can disrupt fuel supply. I am further advised that they have up to date business continuity plans, which have been tested by recent weather events that isolated…

Answered

Question 16967 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12084 (2026), what specific triage protocols, if any, exist for ambulance deployments if fuel supplies are significantly reduced despite prioritisation?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that if fuel supplies are significantly reduced, existing triaging of incidents will be enhanced so actual or potential threat to life or limb for patients is clinically assessed. If it is clear that an ambulance response is…

Answered

16968, 16969 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 16968 (matches this search)

    Is a nominated priority fuel site located within operational range of every St John and Wellington Free Ambulance station, and if not, which stations lack such access?

  • 16969 (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12084 (2026), where are nominated sites located?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that emergency road ambulance services are in discussions with the fuel sector on how fuel will be prioritised. I am further advised that emergency road ambulance services have access to fuel at Z, Caltex, and Challenge…

Answered

Question 16970 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12073 (2026), does "critical customer" status under the Fuel Response Plan 2026 apply to all St John and Wellington Free Ambulance vehicles, or only to those undertaking inter-hospital patient transfers?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that all response-capable vehicles that could be used to respond to emergency medical incidents are defined as critical customers under the Fuel Response Plan, sitting within Band A. I am further advised that health shuttles…

Answered

Question 16971 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12091 (2026), which specific office or official, if any, within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, holds formal authority to direct emergency fuel allocation to health facilities during Phase 3 and Phase…

Answered by

Hon Shane Jones

List MP · NZ First · Associate Minister for Energy

Answer

Phases 3 and 4 of the Fuel Response Plan is still under development. The intention is that at all phases of the fuel response plan fuel supply for critical services will be protected.

Answered

16972, 16978, 16979 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 16972 (matches this search)

    What percentage of normal fuel allocation, if any, is guaranteed to hospitals and health facilities as life-supporting services at each of Phases 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Fuel Response Plan 2026?

  • 16978 (matches this search)

    Is the designation of public hospitals as "critical customers" referenced in reply 12093 (2026) a finalised status, or is it still subject to consultation outcomes, given that Phases 3 and 4 of the Fuel Response Plan 2026 were announced as…

  • 16979 (matches this search)

    How many sites, if any, have been formally nominated under the Fuel Response Plan 2026 for priority fuel supply to public hospitals, and in which district health regions are they located?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised planning for Phases 3 and 4 of the Fuel Response Plan is under development and consultation is ongoing. I am further advised that public hospitals are considered critical fuel customers in the national fuel plan with the right…

Answered

Question 16973 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Which other clinical gases, aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units, and of them, which if any are manufactured in New Zealand?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, the following clinical gases are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units: • Medical air and carbon dioxide, which is manufactured in New…

Answered

Question 16974 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the current stock level of nitrous oxide held across Health New Zealand, further to reply 12086 (2026), and on what date is the stock confirmation referenced in that reply expected to be complete?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand and its suppliers currently hold several months’ supply of nitrous oxide at hospitals and supplier sites. I am further advised that two shipments are currently travelling to New Zealand, with both…

Answered

Question 16975 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Is nitrous oxide used in New Zealand public hospitals manufactured domestically, or is it imported; and if imported, from which countries?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that all of the nitrous oxide used by Health New Zealand is sourced from Taiwan.

Answered

Question 16980 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12093 (2026), which public hospitals rely on gas as the primary fuel for their boilers, and what contingency arrangements exist at each site for a disruption to gas supply?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that 26 Health New Zealand facilities use natural gas as the primary heating (boiler) source. I refer the Member to the attached table. I am further advised that each site has contingency planning in place that is site and…

Answered

16981, 16982, 16984 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Questions

  • 16981 (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12093 (2026), which public hospitals have on-site fuel storage tanks, and what is the total storage capacity of each?

  • 16982 (matches this search)

    Does Health New Zealand centrally collect and hold current fuel-reserve levels for each of its sites with backup diesel, LPG or petrol generators, if so, which fuels and how much is held?

  • 16984 (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12094 (2026), which hospitals make up the 62 Health New Zealand hospitals and specialist facilities equipped with diesel generators, the 3 equipped with LPG generators, and the 1 equipped with a petrol generator?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

Answered

Question 16983 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12095 (2026), what are the minimum, maximum, and median essential-service run times on current diesel reserves across the 62 sites with diesel generators?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that diesel fuel storage capacity for backup generators varies by site. The maximum generator run time following a full refill at hospitals and specialist facilities using diesel ranges from 8 hours to 1,068 hours, with a…

Answered

Question 16985 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Has Health New Zealand modelled the patient impact of an MRI service disruption at various durations, if so, on what date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that service disruptions, and the associated patient impact, is modelled at district level according to the clinical needs of the local population. Dates of this modelling will therefore differ between districts.

Answered

Question 16986 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    What is the average interval between helium top-ups for MRI machines in Health New Zealand's public hospital system, and what is the longest period any individual MRI machine can operate before requiring added helium?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that helium is added to Health New Zealand MRIs at the time of servicing. The frequency of servicing differs according to the age and model of equipment; in general, it ranges from approximately six to twelve months. I am…

Answered

Question 16987 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

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  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12088 (2026), has a documented triage framework for MRI services in the event of a helium supply disruption been developed; if not, by what date will one be completed?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that in the event of a disruption to helium supplies, Health New Zealand would consider the need to triage and prioritise MRI services to ensure continuity of clinically critical imaging. I am further advised that any such…

Answered

Question 16988 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • (matches this search)

    Further to reply 12089 (2026), from which countries or regions is the helium used in New Zealand public hospital MRIs currently sourced, and what proportion comes from each?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that all of the helium used in Health New Zealand MRIs is sourced from the United States.

Answered

Question 16989 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

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    Further to reply 12089 (2026), what are the specific contingency plans referenced, have they been documented in writing, and when were they last tested?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that Health New Zealand and its major suppliers have documented contingency plans in place. This is a standard contractual requirement for Health NZ suppliers.

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Question 16437 (2026)

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Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

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    What are the Clinical Priority Assessment criteria (CPAC) scores for cataract surgeries broken down by district, over the past five years?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I refer the Member to the attached table.

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Question 16441 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

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    Will providers of outsourced ophthalmology be required to provide equitable access for cataract services across districts, if so what weighting, if any, will this requirement be given?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that all Health New Zealand districts are required to consider equity of access when allocating patients for all outsourced surgical procedures. This includes consideration of proximity of the provider to the patient,…

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Question 16578 (2026)

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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

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    What papers, if any, did the Minister take to Cabinet during the week beginning 13 April 2026, by title and date?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I took one paper titled 'Health New Zealand Board and Ministerial Committee for Health Infrastructure: Appointments and Reappointments' to Cabinet in the week beginning 13 April 2026.