Healthcare decision-making moves closer to home: MP Vanessa Weenink
Local authorities to have greater say on healthcare decisions that impact Cantabrians.
As a doctor who has worked on the frontlines, I know that healthcare works best when decisions are made by those who understand their communities and work directly with patients.
It is incredibly promising that from 1 July, we are shifting more decision-making within Health New Zealand from head office back to local authorities to give communities and hospitals more of a say over decisions that impact them.
Decision-making became centralised during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the outcome that hospital wait-times increased and service delivery declined.
Regions and districts will now have clearer authority over workforce, resources, and service delivery, while national leadership focuses on strategy, standards, and system planning. This means Canterbury hospitals will have greater authority to make decisions which allow them to meet health targets and deliver better outcomes for the communities they serve.
We’re fixing the basics to deliver a health system that is more responsive, efficient, and focused on getting patients here in Canterbury the care they need.
We’re also spending an additional $25 million to boost hospital capacity, increase staffing, and prepare the health system for higher demand over the busy winter months
Winter is a busy time for hospitals here in Canterbury. By planning early, expanding capacity, and supporting our frontline teams, we are giving them the tools, resources, and flexibility they need to better manage pressure, reduce delays, and deliver care for locals.
