There was still money left over for health in Budget 2020 yesterday, even after the $4billion of extra funding for district health boards and planned procedures announced on Tuesday.
The big winner was the disability sector, allotted an extra $833million for a range of services to address access and equity issues.
"This funding is about ensuring access to support for showering, cleaning and hands-on care," Associate Health Minister Jenny Salesa said.
That included accommodation for those with high needs, equipment for mobility and access, respite for family/whanau carers, rehabilitation for people following a serious illness, and secure court-ordered care.
The Budget also made more funding available for maternity and community midwife services and ambulance services, and provided a $20million one-off boost to measles immunisation.
Surprisingly, given the strain general practice has been under during Covid-19, there was nothing specific in the Budget for that sector, apart from extra funding for zero or low-fee GP consultations.
"Some of the measures announced today will benefit our patients and therefore boost the health of New Zealand," College of GPs president Samantha Murton said.
"But the Government needs to keep talking to us, so our sector is also supported to deliver on critical public services.”
While some of the earlier DHB announcement would trickle down to GPs in the form of post-operative care, doctors would need more support than that, Dr Murton said.
"Now is a prime opportunity to rebuild our health system and that starts where people go most — to their general practitioner.
"It is critical that we are involved when [the] Government works towards further support for the health sector in the coming months.”
