Health to get $750M a year 

Future-proofing health services to accommodate population growth and cost increases will get the biggest slice of health funding this year.

The government has earmarked $750 million a year for improvements to four key areas of health: future-proofing, DHB connectivity, youth, and wellness and primary care.

Of this, health services will receive $2 billion over four years - strengthening their services so they are able to cope in the future. 

As part of this focus, an additional $160 million over fours years will be dedicated to elective, life-improving surgery. This announcement, which was made on Sunday, will see $35 million per year from 2008-2012 committed to elective surgery, allowing an extra 5,000 patients a year receive elective surgery.

Also included in the $160 million funding is a new initiative that will give an extra 12,000 patients in primary care greater access to specialist assistance such as diagnostic testing and outpatient procedures.

A further one-off spend of $20 million over two years will target District Health Board's that have both a high demand in a specific area and the capacity to deliver those services, like cardiac or spinal surgery.

DHB connectivity is the government's second key focus and is aimed at actioning the Agenda for Quality. This includes $172.3 million over four years to strengthen DHB collaboration and $40 million over four years for connected health IT systems.

Health Minister David Cunliffe says the funding will allow a strategic, cohesive and national approach to New Zealand's health services.

Cunliffe also says the government will focus on children and youth "where early intervention counts the most".

Investing in early years and youth will see $164.2 million over five years dedicated to HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccinations. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus which is known to cause cervical cancer.

Oral health services will receive $79 million over four years, and the government will spend $40 million on pneumococcal vaccinations.

The government's fourth key focus, wellness and public health, will see $52 million over four years to fight obesity and another $80 million of four years to implement the next stages of the government's primary care strategy.

"Health is not only about ensuring accessible health services for those people who fall ill, it's also about keeping people well and giving them the information to make healthier decisions," says Cunliffe.

Budget 2008 makes provision for funding a Maori health workforce. Over four years $12 million will be used to increase the numbers and skill base of Maori nurses and to develop and encourage secondary students to take up a career in health.

Pacific communities are also being targeted with $10.4 million funding obver four years to support Pacific Health Providers and to establish health programmes focussed on Pacific youth.

ACC funding

Earlier this month ACC Minister Maryan Street announced that $46.5 million will be spent over four years for home based support.

Hourly rates for care providers will increase to almost $14 dollars per hour, or over $16.50 per hour depending on the complexity of care required. The types of care covered include attendant care, child care and home help.

The new rates will be back-dated to the beginning of April.