Access to timely primary and hospital healthcare has significantly deteriorated. 

Health New Zealand's released a Clinical Quality and Safety Review - using data from the past decade.

It reveals numbers of people waiting more than four months to see a specialist tripled between 2020 and 2023. 

Chief clinical officer Richard Sullivan says Covid played a role and numbers are stabilising.

But he says there's a long way to go.

He also explained one target is 95 percent of patients waiting less than four months - but we're on about 60 percent, so improving that is a big focus.

LISTEN ABOVE

Access to timely primary and hospital healthcare has significantly deteriorated.&nbsp;
Health New Zealand's released a Clinical Quality and Safety Review - using data from the past decade.
It reveals numbers of people waiting more than four months to see a specialist tripled between 2020 and 2023.&nbsp;
Chief clinical officer Richard Sullivan says Covid played a role and numbers are stabilising.
But he says there's a long way to go.
He also explained one target is 95 percent of patients waiting less than four months - but we're on about 60 percent, so improving that is a big focus.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Richard Sullivan: Health NZ Chief Clinical Officer on the findings in the latest Clinical Quality and Safety Review

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/61021011-282a-4d81-9226-b2ad005501cb/transcript