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The Government has announced final decisions on changes that will further reduce the number of government agencies, State Services Minister Tony Ryall announced today.

“These changes will provide greater value for money, reduce duplication and improve coordination across the state sector,” Mr Ryall said.

“In May the Government signalled our intention to review a number of Crown entities as part of our overall programme of state sector reform. We’ve decided to proceed with the changes that a process of due diligence confirmed had value.

Good morning.

This is your fourth annual conference, and the fourth time I have come to speak at it, including the last three times as Minister of Health. 

It's good to be here.

I note that your theme this year is “Taking control of our world”. 

With the year we have had so far, and the kick off of the Rugby World Cup less than a month away, I can’t think of a more appropriate, but perhaps more challenging, theme to have.

Canterbury

Health Minister Tony Ryall has opened the New Zealand Emergency Department Conference in Taupo today, and told guests that the latest health target result for Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments (EDs) reflects well on all involved.

Mr Ryall said, "Two years ago, we introduced the target of 95 per cent of ED patients being admitted, treated or discharged within six hours. Several of the larger DHBs were struggling to deal with even 70 per cent of their patients in that time.

For the third year in a row, registration for the government's Voluntary Bonding Scheme has exceeded expectations.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "429 medical, nurse and midwife graduates from 2010 had registered their interest in joining the scheme by the close off date at the end of April.

"The graduates are made up of 41 doctors, 39 midwives, and 349 nurses.

Introduction

Good morning.  It is a pleasure to be here to open the New Zealand Home Health Association’s Annual Conference and I would like to thank the association for its invitation to speak to you.

First up, I’d like to thank the many health professionals, managers, coordinators and support workers in home care for their outstanding efforts and perseverance during and after the series of Canterbury earthquakes.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the Government has approved a $37 million state-of-the-art Elective Surgery Centre at North Shore Hospital.

Mr Ryall says "The Elective Surgery Centre (ESC) will be a radically new concept for New Zealand that will deliver a more efficient, patient-focused service and have a major impact on reducing waiting times for non-emergency surgery.

"It is part of National's election plan to build dedicated elective surgery theatres to provide more operations for New Zealanders.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has congratulated the Lakes District Health Board for achieving 100 per cent in the ‘Better Help for Smokers to Quit’ preventive health target, in the last quarter.

The national preventive health target is that 90 per cent of hospitalised smokers get advice and support to quit, and Lakes is the first DHB to achieve 100 per cent for a quarter.

Health Minister Tony Ryall is today opening a new three level building at Rotorua Hospital marking the completion of stage one of an $83-million redevelopment.

He says, "The new building is a huge improvement on the existing outdated facilities, and is designed to meet the needs of the community for the next twenty years. It cost $36 million.

"It is user friendly, housing all specialist outpatient clinical services together on the ground floor which is more convenient for both patients and staff.

Thank you for inviting me back to officially open the first stage of the Rotorua Hospital redevelopment. 

Many of you were here with me in October 2009 when I had the privilege of being the first person to "turn the sod" on this project..

Today – it is again a pleasure to be back here celebrating another stage in the project.

All up, the price tag for the redevelopment is $83 million.

Health Minister Tony Ryall today announced re-appointments to the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) board, and a new appointment to the Lakes District Health Board.

Current NZBS board member David Chamberlain has been appointed as Chair.

Current Deputy Chair David Wright and board member Tania Kingi have been reappointed for further three year terms.

Mr Ryall thanked outgoing Chair Anne Urlwin for her stewardship of the Blood Service. Mrs Urlwin was first appointed to the board in 2005 and became Chair in 2008.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the Government is delivering on its plan to improve maternity services in New Zealand.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the Fifth Annual Report of the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review committee (2009) confirms that maternity services are performing well, but improvements are needed.

"While today's report states our perinatal mortality rate is comparable to rates reported in Australia and the UK, New Zealand can do better.

"The government is delivering on its plan to improve maternity services, and today I am launching key parts of the new maternity quality and safety programme.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has approved an extra $800,000 over two years to help nurses better match the needs of their patients with the staff and resources available.

"Working out when and where health care is likely to be required is challenging for health services," Mr Ryall says.

"Matching patient demand with resources on the day is critical for providing a safe quality environment for patients and staff, and it also makes best use of the health dollar. 

Good afternoon.

Thank you for the opportunity to open your symposium this afternoon. I expect there will be a lot of interest. Not the least of which follows a call by the symposium organisers for higher taxes, significantly more regulation and lifting the age of entitlement for National Superannuation!.

May I welcome your keynote speaker Sir Michael Marmot to New Zealand.

The Medicines Regulations 1984 and the Medicines (Standing Order) Regulations 2002, have been amended to better align the law with modern medical practice.  

Health Minister Tony Ryall says "The amendments remove many requirements that are unnecessary, ineffective or excessively costly."

The updated regulations:

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced a new set of guidelines is available to help health professionals manage patients with type 2 diabetes.

The guidelines have been developed by the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Guidelines Group, and are available at http://www.nzgg.org.nz/practice-tools/diabetes.

State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall has today announced three new appointments to State Owned Enterprise boards and an airport company board.

Chair of the Lotteries Commission Judy Kirk has been appointed as director of MetService. Mrs Kirk is a former president of the National Party.

Alistair Scott has been appointed to the board of Transpower. He is a director  of numerous boards, and is a former executive at Meridian Energy and Credit Suisse First Boston.

Focused, early health care for vulnerable children and their families makes a real difference to their lives.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says the public health service is providing a significant contribution to three of the four priority areas in the Drivers of Crime Initiative, updated today in a progress report Addressing the Drivers of Crime.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced the appointment of Ms Theo Baker, as new Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner.

She replaces Ms Rae Lamb.

Mr Ryall says, "Ms Baker is a senior lawyer with extensive experience in the medico-legal field, and has previously worked at the Health and Disability Commission as legal counsel and as Director of Proceedings.

"As well as Deputy Commissioner, she is also the general manager of the complaints resolution division."

Ms Baker will begin her five year term later this month.

The first people on a new Government programme to help overseas-trained doctors prepare for New Zealand registration are about to take their medical exams.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "This Government recognises that health workforce issues are a top priority. We are taking action on a number of fronts.

Good afternoon.

First up, I’d like to thank the many health professionals and students in the room for their outstanding leadership and efforts during and after the series of Canterbury earthquakes.

The way in which you all worked together so effectively to care for your fellow citizens is truly humbling. I know that the challenges remain and the uncertainty persists, but please know that you are admired and appreciated for what you are doing.

The Government has pledged a special payment of up to $16 million to Canterbury District Health Board for earthquake related costs in the 2010/11 financial year ending today.

Health Minister Tony Ryall says, "Before the earthquakes, Canterbury DHB was projecting a break even at the end of this financial year. This additional payment will ensure they do break even and earthquake costs to date are covered.

"This is being paid for from unallocated and unspent funding within the Health budget.

Thank you for the opportunity to join you at the opening of your new 24 bed hospital wing here in Waikanae.

Today Winara Rest Home and Hospital is about to add a significant part to the continuum of services older people may need.

I'd like to acknowledge Bupa Care Services who've made a significant capital investment particularly in this region - with the opening of this much anticipated hospital wing today.

Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced that four District Health Boards  (DHBs) will trial a programme to lift performance in endoscopy units and make procedures such as colonoscopy a more comfortable experience.

Waitemata, Lakes, Wairarapa and Canterbury have been selected to run the year-long trial, beginning in August.

"The programme is based on a UK protocol called the Global Rating Scale (GRS). Three years after being introduced, UK endoscopy units increased the number of patients being seen on time from 16 percent to 82 percent".