How do health systems in countries similar to Aotearoa stack up?
I have been doing a bit of close-up research recently on how health systems in countries whose standard of living could be compared to Aotearoa, are faring. The issues are uncannily familiar. Across the board, there are shortages of clinicians, nursing personnel, and support staff.
Peter Townsend, Chair of Te Papa Hauora Health Precinct
There seem to be feelings of discontent and under recognition across all comparable health sectors. There are continuous rumblings of industrial action, demands for increased income and reduction in work loads. There are also significant issues around transparency within systems. I also hear pressures on systems resulting in sub-optimal treatment and often at the margins, with non-acute treatment and long waiting lists.
These are currently international phenomena. However, I have learned that no matter where you are, if there is an acute health crisis, a matter of life and death, then participants in all health systems respond with amazing rapidity, expertise, and world class treatment.
This I have witnessed first-hand, as well as being told just that by friends and family, especially here in New Zealand, Australia, and the UK. So, what can we do locally to attract and retain happy health professionals? We need them and there is never enough funding.
Creating Ōtautahi as a “city of choice” where people make a conscious decision to stay, or come to live here because of what we have on offer for them and their whānau is critical.
As a city we are heading in that direction but there is more to be done. That is our challenge with a big prize if we succeed.
