How is NZ going to fund health services?

How is New Zealand going to fund health services in the future?

Media Release 29 May 2007

With the introduction of new technologies and a growing and aging population, how is New Zealand going to fund health services in the future? This question begs for answers. The Counties Manukau District Health Board Sustainability Conference is the best place to hear them. Media are invited to attend the second annual Sustainability conference on June 7 and 8.

The conference invites leading-edge speakers from both inside and outside the health sector to contribute viewpoints which will challenge and inspire delegates. Funding health services in the future is a global challenge as the market place for a health workforce becomes increasingly international and more effective drugs and procedures are developed.

Keynote speakers include Matthew Brougham, Geraint Martin, Ian McPherson, Stephen McKernan, Pat Snedden, Grant Gillett and Alistair Woodward. Some topics being covered are:

* The ethics of prioritization. How does a public health sector decide what to buy for New Zealanders and what not to buy? * Opportunities and constraints for private health insurance. * How to balance good health outcomes and good fiscal outcomes. * How does New Zealand pay for the predicted increase of people with diabetes?

The conference will be at the Waipuna Conference Centre in Auckland on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th June. The first day will explore global and international issues and compare the New Zealand experience with that of other countries and sectors. The second day will be based at a strategic level and look at the financial performance of DHBs and, for example, how does a DHB sustain a long term financial plan while managing a deficit?

The two days are planned to include dialogue with the audience so everyone attending can contribute to a future scenario for health and health service delivery. Journalists are welcome and encouraged to attend these sessions.

More Information and Keynote Speakers Topics

The conference is being hosted as a contribution to a national debate on the future of health. The purpose is to challenge conventional thinking, share issues and solutions and think about what needs to change in the future

Geraint Martin (CEO CMDHB) will speak about the benefits of a targets regime based on his experience in the NHS.

The Associate Minister of Finance, Hon Clayton Cosgrove will tackle the challenge of balancing good health outcomes with good fiscal outcomes.

Stephen McKerman (Director of General Health, MOH) is looking at the performance and productivity of DHBs five years after their establishment.

Ian McPherson (CEO Southern Cross) is speaking from the viewpoint of the private sector and looking at the opportunities and constraints for private health insurance.

ENDS

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