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26 September 2007
VIDEO: Journal 22 - On the new health care discussion document

National Party leader John Key outlines National's newly released discussion document on health care policy, available for download here. Titled 'Better, Sooner, More Convenient,' the document outlines National's proposals for a health system that doesn’t just react to the health problems of today, but adapts to the challenges of tomorrow.
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#1 - Grant Keymer 2007-09-26 20:16 - (Reply)

John, as you are probably aware, the Herald has written a story today with the headline *"National to scrap cap on GPs' fees"* I have looked all through your discussion documents and *nowhere* does it say this. Are we looking at another case of media misreporting, or is this headline actually true? If your policy is to scrap the cap on GPs Fees, I think it is a big mistake, which will alienate a lot of older people, parents of larger families etc. By doing so, you are giving Winston Peters another foot in the door, and that is something National doesn't need. The Herald article went further and said: *"National leader John Key said the competitive market would ensure doctors' fees did not go through the roof"* That may be so in affluent city suburbs, but in rural areas, or underprivileged areas, there are insufficient doctors to go around, and so there is no possibility of patients shopping around for a better deal. I will look forward with interest to your response on this issue John.

#1.1 - Rob Alcock 2007-09-26 21:31 - (Reply)

I live in a rural community and over the past 15 years have seen our local Doctors head off to Australia or simply retire and not be replaced. The current government policy of capping the earning ability of our Doctors has had a terrible impact on my district such that now it is difficult to find a Doctor at all. Doctors are mobile and in short supply all over the world so to cap their income is crazy because market forces will just see them move somewhere else. So I agree with Nationals plans to scrap the cap, and I hope that Doctors will soon return to our rural areas where they are needed and highly appreciated.

#1.2 - John Burton 2007-09-27 18:58 - (Reply)

I have always voted for the Conservative or National Party in the past. But this latest statement, correctly or incorrectly reported, regarding the removal of the caping of GPs fees is I amfraid totally against my thoughts. To go down the road to another GP who will be charging less because of market competion is rubbish. Some of us would have to travel a long distance as we do' nt all live in Auckland. Pharmacies are still charging an illegal handling fee Dr Brash had my instant vote last time, but I had considered abstaing from voting before this policy statement and I shall definately abstain now. I will however promise not to vote for anyother Party.

#2 - Grant Keymer 2007-09-27 08:37 - (Reply)

Rob has made a very good point in that capping the fees has caused Doctors to leave his area and not be replaced. In that case, maybe we need to look at increased subsidies for Doctors practicing in such areas? This is a classic case of free-market ideology vs. interventionism and there are no easy answers. However, scrapping the cap on fees is going to alienate hundreds of thousands of people who might otherwise vote for National, whereas if a way could be found to retain the cap and yet provide adequate rewards for Doctors, then we would have the best of both worlds. John: Do you have any idea of the likely cost of such a scheme? Then we could look at how significant a drain it would be on government coffers.

#3 - Ken Sampson 2007-09-27 11:46 - (Reply)

If John and Tony dont understand what market forces are it is a very scary proposition to place either of them in government. You cant get an appointment to see a doctor at the moment so the market isnt working at the moment. If the market drives this sector then we will see far fewer people able to afford a trip to the doctors and an equally large number that will only go when they are in dire need of a doctor, and will suffer long term illness as a result and create a huge burden on emergency wards and the general health care system. If you want the votes do something at the other end of the problem - invest in education so that the doctors, nurses, radiologists, and other professionals can afford to stay in New Zealand. You will huge votes if you simply provide a system where if you pass each paper and you work in NZ for three years your loan disappears. Most of the people I know that voted labour last time only voted for no loan interest. Personally I would rather not have labour in for another term, so perhaps Tony should resign his portfolio.

#4 - Shai 2007-09-27 18:31 - (Reply)

It is always a good thing when MPs slip up and the truth actually comes out - Clearly the fact that National left out of its health policy the fact that they plan to remove the cap on how much GPs can charge proves they knew how unpopular such a policy would be. Surely they wish GPs to charge any price they wish - too bad for thsoe who cannot afford it? Good on you National, always good to see you're looking out for the little guy!!

#5 - Gary Turvey 2007-09-28 08:03 - (Reply)

National party members must also get free doctors visits. Appointment times hve gone from 15mins to 10.Govt subsidies ensure approx 30patient 70 govt x 7 hrs=$700 per day income additional charges for letters injections nurses assistance blood tests etc....if you can get an appointment. Ive had no salary increase for 5 years..They get 6% MP's got ? enough anyway. As the last 4 doctors have been unable to help me probably due to a 10 min visit its money for jam Ihave decided just to drop dead when it happens. Better do better than this if you want my continued vote which you've had for the last six years.

#6 - IAN VERRY LEVIN 2007-10-04 10:44 - (Reply)

A lot of people have the idea that Natoinal's policy of raising the cap on doctors fees will mean that patients will have to meet the extra cost. John key said on Wednesday's T.V.1's Breakfast said this will not happen as the extra would be met by Govt subsidy. This point should therefore be emphasised by the National Party to dispel the misapprehensions being caused news media misinformation

#7 - Elaine Cradock 2007-10-06 14:00 - (Reply)

Hi John I welcome some of the ideas in the Health Discussion paper. The excellent idea seeing a GP in the Hospital and seeing them in their clinic for minor ops. Cutting red tape and getting DHB's together a good idea too, As a victim of budget cuts from my local DHB. I welcome slashing red tape. However, slashing the cap on GPs fees will feed its way back to the middle end of the earning sector. The lower end already get help, the middle sector don't and it will be them who will suffer. Also it will be electoral suicide to do this. Many people will be put off voting for National. Yours a supporter Elaine Cradock

#8 - Wayne Reid 2007-10-08 09:07 - (Reply)

At the moment; one comment. There...is...no...cap...on...GP...fees. Why is it that so many people have not actually gone out and checked their facts. There is no cap on GP fees. There never has been a cap on GP fees. I am not a GP but I am involved in the fees process. With the high number of successful GP fees increases since the beginning of the year, no evidence of capping exists.

#9 - Blair L.J.Treadwell 2007-10-08 10:27 - (Reply)

As a specialist physician I have worked within the hospital service in NZ (and overseas) for almost 50 years. Over the last 20 years it has deteriorated significantly in some respects. This has been largely due to the suffocating bureaucracy which has grown steadily during this period. It has become increasingly difficult for clinical staff to introduce change and improvement in service and output due to inaction and obstruction by non-clinical managers. The cost of hospital bureaucracy is huge, both financially and in the frustration of clinical staff. They leave. I once challenged a hospital CEO as to why he had not introduced changes he had promised on his appointment. His reply was: "because I would lose the power". Throwing money at hospitals with exhortations to do more operations will make no difference. The in-hospital nonclinical managerial burdan must be substantially reduced, and decision making devolved to clinical department heads.

#9.1 - Kevin Owen said:
2008-03-09 12:27 - (Reply)

"This has been largely due to the suffocating bureaucracy which has grown steadily during this period." Its not only from the suffocating bureacracy but from the unworkable methods being used to treat patients Look at the latest scandal with anti depressants, now said to be only as good as placebo effect which is also a lie as placebo effect treatment doesn't have side effects. Physical Healing Verses Psychosomatic Healing Spiritual and Mental Stress [psychosomatic], causes a large proportion of physical and mental illnesses, experienced by individuals. These physical symptoms are then diagnosed by the Medical Doctor and Psychiatrists etc and treated with physical treatments. [Medication, operations, chemotherapy etc] As the medical model mainly deals with the physical symptoms and has virtually no cures for these illnesses, and never will, they become acute or chronic and need long-term treatment. When the Spiritual and Mental aspects of the psychosomatic illness or injury are handled with different forms of Psychotherapy, the symptoms improve and in many cases cease to exist. All illness should be handled with Spiritual and Mental Therapies [psychotherapy] if possible, as medication or drugs are not needed to get improvement and it has no side effects. The improvement is rapid, as after therapy the person is aware that his/her condition has improved. Many operations are not needed when the above psychotherapies are used on the physical or mental condition or problem. Work stress can be lessened quickly without medications. All injuries, healing of them can be sped up. Many other problems can be improved by increasing a persons abilities and education to cope with life http://www.rehabilitatenz.co.nz

#10 - Rhea 2007-10-09 16:27 - (Reply)

Mainstream media have sensationalised the scrapping of GP fee caps to an extent that many articles are scaremongering and do not have balanced reporting. National need to get out there and explain the ideas behind the policy more so that people understand that it's not such a scary option afterall. Currently Tony Ryall released a media article stating that currently the Labour fee review process means that GP fee increases already occur. I don't think many NZers know this otherwise they wouldn't be so sceptical about this policy.


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