Health care in NZ

The family lives in an area of medical developments.   Large shiny buildings catering for many different specialities - from radiology to reproductive services.  

The system is vaguely familiar.    Hospital care in NZ is free and government funded if the patient is referred by a registered general practitioner.    But the cost of going to see the GP in the first place ($53) has to be met by the patient - unless they are in receipt of benefits.

Nevertheless, 23% of care is accessed through the private sector.   In the UK,  3% of spend on health care happens in the private sector.   This private GP facility, for example, allows you to walk in anytime and have a consultation with a family doctor.   The fees can be a little pricier.   Interestingly, even in the private sector, child immunisations are free!

Those on waiting lists for surgery within the public system face an average waiting time of 305 days - which I am sure - must contribute to the growing take-up of private care.

The Canterbury District Health Board has been successful in redesigning services to reduce hospital use. Some of this transformation was precipitated by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake,  when several healthcare buildings were damaged or destroyed. It now has lower rates of acute medical admissions, low average lengths of stay, fewer readmissions in acute care, fewer cancelled planned admissions and more conditions treated out of hospital.