Despite health getting the biggest funding increase in yesterday's Budget, critics warn some important areas are not receiving enough money.
With an extra $1.6 billion over four years, total health spending in 2013-14 will rise to $14.7 billion. Of the new funding, $250 million a year will go straight to district health boards.
Diabetes and heart disease will receive an extra $35.5 million over four years, including a doubling of green prescriptions, particularly aimed at pre-diabetes, and more disease screening.
University of Otago nutrition and diabetes authority Prof Jim Mann said recognising pre-diabetes was an important step, and he credited the Government for doing something.
But he was disappointed to see no extra spending on public health programmes to prevent obesity, which were ''key'' to dealing with the epidemic. Prof Mann was involved in research this year which revealed nearly 20% of New Zealanders had pre-diabetes.
He was especially pleased a ''desperate'' lack of podiatry services had been recognised, and to see enhanced diabetes nurse services.
Also announced yesterday was the Government's response to losing the family carers' court case last year.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said $92 million over four years would be made available for about 1600 disabled people to pay their family carers, who until now have been expected to work without pay.
Methodist Mission Southern director Laura Black said the''long overdue'' funding agreement did not sound enough to pay carers the minimum wage.
District health boards were keeping more people at home to save rest-home costs which was creating a vulnerable population in the community, she said.
Ms Black would like to see low-paid care support workers get higher wages. Presbyterian Support Otago development director Lisa Wells said $70 million over four years for aged care and dementia services was not enough to deal with the coming ''tidal wave'' of demand for those services because of baby-boomer demand.
Mrs Wells said she would have liked to see dementia money directed towards community-based programmes, not just residential care.
Grey Power Otago president Jo Millar said the CarePlus programme, which received a $12.8 million boost over four years, needed to be broadened from primary healthcare access to general support for people with long-term conditions living at home. Growing numbers of the elderly were at home, she said.
She was pleased to see an extra $48 million for elective surgery over four years.
Southern Primary Health Organisation chief executive Ian Macara said primary healthcare received a boost in the Budget. Extra money for those with long-term conditions recognised the growing burden of these conditions, he said.$70 million for aged care and dementia services.
Health funding
• $18.2 million for new mothers and babies initiative, yet to be announced.
• $100 million to meet population changes and cost pressures in disability support services.
• $25 million to increase people screened for disease, particularly breast cancer.
• $4.3 million to improve care and men's awareness of prostate cancer.
• $48 million for elective surgery.
• $7.3 million for 20 additional medical student places.
• $7 million to increase coverage of B4School checks.
