There are five key areas where change will make the biggest difference.
First, the health system will honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It will do this by ensuring that Māori are empowered to design health services that better meet the needs of Māori. Māori communities will play an important role in making sure our health services work for Māori, and the many New Zealanders accessing kaupapa Māori health services. This will be better for everyone, because a health system that does better for Māori, does better for all.
Second, people will be able to get the healthcare they need closer to home. Health services will better reflect community needs and preferences. More will be done to help people stay well by addressing things that support healthy lives, like living in warm, dry homes.
Third, high-quality emergency and specialist care will be available when people need it. Where it makes sense, national investment in modern, fit for purpose facilities will replace old, out of date buildings or technology. Networks of doctors and other medical professionals will work together with community services to educate and keep people well, so fewer people need healthcare in the first place.
Fourth, digital technology will be used more often and in better ways, to provide people with services such as Telehealth in their homes, hapori and communities. Technology will also help healthcare workers to better understand and support their patients.
And finally, we will plan for our future health workforce. We will train and develop tomorrow’s healthcare workers so we have the right people with the right skills.
Achieving the vision for the future of health in Aotearoa New Zealand will not be easy, and it will take time. But it’s a future worth getting right.
