News that Auckland surgeons are now being required to consider a patient’s ethnicity when deciding who should get an operation first sparked sharp debate around the country. 

Politicians and medical professionals quickly weighed in, with some saying that Health New Zealand’s new Equity Adjuster Score was indefensible.

Supporters have, however, pointed out that ethnicity is just one of a number of factors being considered alongside clinical priority, time spent on the waitlist, geographic location and deprivation level.

So is this system defensible or even ethical? And is this even the best way to address poor health outcomes faced by Māori and Pasifika communities?

Joining Damien on The Front Page today to help answer those questions is Auckland University associate professor Monique Jonas, an expert in healthcare ethics and distributive justice in health.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Damien Venuto
Producer: Shaun D Wilson
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

News that Auckland surgeons are now being required to consider a patient’s ethnicity when deciding who should get an operation first sparked sharp debate around the country.    Politicians and medical professionals quickly weighed in, with some saying that Health New Zealand’s new Equity Adjuster Score was indefensible.
Supporters have, however, pointed out that ethnicity is just one of a number of factors being considered alongside clinical priority, time spent on the waitlist, geographic location and deprivation level.
So is this system defensible or even ethical? And is this even the best way to address poor health outcomes faced by Māori and Pasifika communities?
Joining Damien on The Front Page today to help answer those questions is Auckland University associate professor Monique Jonas, an expert in healthcare ethics and distributive justice in health.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Damien Venuto Producer: Shaun D Wilson Executive Producer: Ethan Sills

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.