There's support for more use of private hospitals to help the health system.

Minister Shane Reti's outlined plans for reaching five health targets set in March, spanning wait times, immunisations and cancer treatment.

He's discussed increasing public hospital beds and operating theatres and using private hospital capacity more.

Counties Manukau chief medical officer Andrew Connolly says private healthcare will help get wait lists down.

"Most of the work will still be done, however, in public facilities. We don't want to lose staff to private just to do public work."

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