Ros Pochin, Chair of the Aotearoa New Zealand National Committee, provided a written briefing on the current issues facing surgical services, the role of RACS in the healthcare system, and a request to improve communication and collaboration.
RACS took the opportunity of a change of leadership at Manatū Hauora to provide a briefing setting out clearly the current issues facing surgical services, the role of RACS in the healthcare system, and a request to improve communication and collaboration.
We advised the biggest priorities needing action by Government with support from RACS are:
1. Health reforms – stabilisation and funding
2. Workforce – supply, training, and retention
3. Needs-based equitable healthcare – access, service delivery, and outcomes
4. Maintenance of and improvements to existing health infrastructure
5. Planned care – meeting targets to reduce waiting lists
6. Sustainability – reducing emissions, reusing and recycling surgical waste.
We offered to share the wealth of clinical expertise and system intelligence within RACS, to make this available to the Director General, the Minister, and Te Whatu Ora, to facilitate effective decisions and actions to implement health reform.