Disability services, DHBs win
The ‘‘rainy day‘‘ Budget will see $5.6 billion injected into the health sector, with boosts to disability services and Pharmac’s medicines budget.
Finance Minister Grant Robertson also announced a further $755 million in capital investment.
The total included a $3.92b boost for district health boards (DHBs) over four years, and a oneoff $282m to clear the backlogs caused by the Covid-19 disruption, announced by Robertson earlier.
The $3.9b represented the ‘‘largest-ever annual investment’’ in DHBs, Robertson said.
It would provide ‘‘much-needed funding’’ for hospitals and essential health services, he said.
The Government also announced an increase of $160m over four years to Pharmac’s Combined Pharmaceutical Budget.
This ‘‘critical investment’’ brought Pharmac’s medicines budget to a record $1.045b for 2020-21, an increase of 20 per cent from 2017-18, Robertson said.
The $750m increased capital investment builds on spending over the previous two Budgets, providing money for facilities, infrastructure and technology to meet current and future demand.
Disabled New Zealanders were also set to receive increased support, with a total of $833m pledged for disability support services over the next five years, beginning with $103m in 2020.
Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa said this would be the largest-ever funding boost for the disabled community.
‘‘When we came to Government, disability support funding was struggling to keep up with the rightful expectations of the disabled community.
‘‘This funding is about ensuring access to support for showering, cleaning, and hands-on care; accommodation for those with high needs; equipment for mobility and access; respite for familywha¯ nau carers; rehabilitation for people following a serious illness; and secure court-ordered care,’’ she said.
Some $177m was set aside for maternity services, enabling the implementation of the Maternity Action Plan.
The Cancer Control Agency would receive $30m over four years, and $20m had been earmarked for strengthening the immunisation system and for the response to the measles outbreak.
Budget 2020 would also see additional support for ambulance, aged care and hospice services.
Earlier, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said the $3.92b for DHBs delivered a welcome shot in the arm for a health system that had been ‘‘teetering on the edge’’.
Executive director Sarah Dalton said it was money the sector had been ‘‘crying out for’’.
‘‘The effects of that underinvestment have been playing out in decaying buildings, worsening waiting lists and access to healthcare, along with staffing shortages and burnt-out workforces.
‘‘It is pleasing to see the Government acknowledging that historical underfunding, but our health system has been operating in a hole for so long, it will take a lot more than one Budget to climb out,’’ she said.
Yesterday, the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners said it was disappointed general practice had been left out of the Budget.
The college said the $3.92b was not likely to provide support to the ‘‘struggling’’ sector on the frontline of the Covid-19 defence.
The Budget had also not acknowledged GPs would also be dealing with a huge number of patients with deferred care and will require support to cope with the demand, it said.