Parliament passes health law refocusing system on patients

The Healthy Futures Amendment Act creates a statutory duty for timely quality care and mandates that health entities work towards government targets.

Parliament has passed the Healthy Futures (Pae Ora) Amendment Act, which refocuses the health system on patient outcomes and accountability.

The legislation creates a new statutory purpose requiring patients to receive timely access to quality health services. It also obliges all health entities, including Health New Zealand, to deliver on the Government's health targets.

Health Minister Simeon Brown said the Act "makes it clear that the health system exists to serve patients. It strengthens accountability, restores a focus on delivery, and ensures every part of the system is working towards better health outcomes for New Zealanders."

The Act removes the health sector principles and New Zealand Health Charter introduced by the previous Government. The previous health charter did not use the word 'patients' but mentioned unions 11 times, according to the Minister.

Brown said "New Zealanders expect the health system to deliver timely, quality care, not more process and paperwork. This legislation puts that expectation into law."

The Minister said emergency department wait times are falling and patients are being seen and treated more rapidly. He also said childhood immunisation rates are improving.