BUDGET Big boost in health funding urged

Opponents say Government needs to lift spending by $720m just to stand still after years of starving sector

For four years in a row, the Government’s press release on Budget day has been identical: “Health budget increases to record high”. National has lifted spending on health in each of the past four years, hitting $16.1 billion in 2016 — a 1.3 per cent increase. Another record spend is possible tomorrow as the Government’s books continue to improve.

But analysis by trade unions and Opposition parties gives a different slant to the annual headline.

According to a report released by the Council of Trade Unions, the Nurses Organisation and Public Service Association this week, the Government needs to lift funding by $720 million just to “stand still”, or keep up with rising population and costs.

A further $375m is needed to cover the costs of a equal pay agreement with aged care and home support workers over the coming year.

That total of $1.1b does not cover estimated shortfalls from other years.

Labour health spokesman David Clark said his party also wanted the Government to begin “back-filling” the sector’s $1.7b gap in funding since 2010. This estimate by analysts Infometrics is based on the increase in crown expenditure relative to inflation and population growth.

“It seems that over the course of this Government’s time, it has starved healthcare,” Clark said.

“It hasn’t delivered sufficiently to maintain the current level of service.

“That means each person can expect a lower level of service from the health system than they used to get.”

Public Service Association head Erin Polaczuk said funding shortfalls were being felt on the front line. Stress levels and workplace pressures were “more intense than ever”. prevent illnesses like rheumatic fever.

The unions’ analysis said about $580m more funding was needed for district health boards — up from $400m last year.

Ian Powell of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said there was particular need for more hospital specialist places. A survey by the association last July and August found half of specialists — which includes surgeons and physicians — had experienced burnout.

Labour also wanted more focus on primary care in the Budget, especially more affordable GP appointments and adequate NGO funding, Clark boards. $112m for disability support services. $110m more for elective surgeries. $96m for home-based support services. said. “We feel the Government has had an exclusive focus on short-term targets at the expense of preventative areas with long-term costs.”

One of those targets is elective surgery, which the Government has poured money into in successive Budgets. National has a target of increasing elective surgeries such as hip and cataract operations by 4000 a year — which was easily exceeded in the last quarter.

Also on Labour’s wish-list is a funding boost for mental health, which is emerging as a key issue.

The party wants a broad review of the mental health sector. But in the meantime, it has proposed putting dedicated mental health teams into GP clinics in eight centres around the country — at a cost of $43m.

Labour could get its wish, possibly as soon as tomorrow. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman hinted that the Government is looking at a similar initiative, which has been called for by mental health professionals.

The Green Party supports Labour’s proposals on mental health and filling the funding gap. Green health spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter said her party also wanted measures to address child obesity, including a tax on sugary drinks, healthy food in schools and public buildings, and measures to make it safer for kids to cycle to school.

NZ First wants adequate funding for the free GP consultation scheme, which was extended by National from under-6s to under-13s in 2015. It also wants three free GP visits a year for SuperGold card holders.

Ahead of the Budget, the Government has announced a $60m boost to Pharmac to allow greater access to medicines. A further $59.2m will be put towards emergency services, which will allow all road ambulance callouts to be double-crewed.