New Zealand prioritizes patient care in healthcare reform

Simeon Brown, New Zealand's Health Minister, is shifting the focus of the healthcare system back to patients. He replaced Dr. Shane Reti in January and plans to set targets for how quickly patients can see a general practitioner. Several senior health officials, including director-general Dr. Diana Sarfati, have resigned. They mentioned the difficulty of managing and unifying the healthcare system. Brown believes it is crucial to prioritize patient needs after years of declining services, long waitlists, and bureaucracy. In his recent plan, Brown emphasized a "back-to-basics" approach for Te Whatu Ora, the country's health authority. He is committed to reducing delays and eliminating bureaucratic obstacles. The goal is to ensure every New Zealander, from the north to the south, receives timely and quality care. Brown stated that the health system was in crisis when his team took over in 2023. The previous government had made significant changes during the pandemic, which included removing health accountability targets. Despite high spending, the system became bogged down in red tape, leaving patients waiting for care while officials were busy in meetings.