The Health System is in full preparation with winter approaching fast.
Minister of Health Hon Dr. Ayesha Verrall has outlined a Winter Plan for 2023 to ease the pressures that the Health System will undertake in the colder seasons.
The plan includes 24 initiatives to help support community care and reduce hospital demand. It also involves support for pharmacies to treat minor ailments, hospital in the home services, increased access to radiology service and community rapid response tools to lessen hospital admissions.
Minister Verrall hopes that people will feel more confident to get the healthcare they need this winter and is supporting the plan to be delivered.
“This winter, a reformed health system is allowing us to identify successful local programmes and scale them across the country, tailoring any health care approach to meet unique needs.”
Dr. Verral says, resources will be shared across health facilities within a region, with providers working together.
“These initiatives being driven by Te Whatu Ora reinforce care at the right time, at the right place. They will deliver health services to people closer to where they live, ultimately alleviating additional pressure on our hospitals.”
The Minister encourages everyone to take practical steps such as ensuring people’s vaccinations are up to date to reduce the chance of getting seriously unwell.
“Getting your COVID-19 booster and flu jabs are a first line of defence this winter – as well as making sure your tamariki have all the immunisations they need to protect them too.”
