29 Sep 2009

Responses to be issued over changes to health system

8:47 am on 29 September 2009

The Government is on Tuesday to issue more than 100 responses received to proposals for sweeping changes in the health system.

The feedback is in response to the recommendations of a Ministerial Review Group.

In a document known as the Horn Report, the group stopped short of urging a cut to the number of district health boards, recommending instead that a national health board be set up to improve planning and funding of health services.

Responses to the report criticise wastage, duplication and a lack of leadership in health, but largely support the proposed changes.

However, Radio New Zealand's health correspondent says there is also deep suspicion about any changes that could add to bureaucracy.

Officials are studying the report: decisions are due in a month or two.