Better co-operation between New Zealand's public and private health systems was needed to enhance the health of the nation, National Party list MP Michael Woodhouse, of Dunedin, said yesterday.
In his time as the chief executive of Mercy Hospital and president of the New Zealand Private Surgical Hospitals Association, Mr Woodhouse had presided over the growth in both demand for and supply of private surgical services.
"I believe an ideological mind-set has prevented better use of spare capacity in private hospitals and that has been to the detriment of the health of New Zealanders. I firmly believe that the future of this nation's health must be based on a strong and sustainable public system.
"That said, New Zealanders have a right to good information on what they can reasonably expect from its public system in order they make informed choices."
If opportunities existed to better use the private sector to enhance the health of the nation, they should be taken, Mr Woodhouse said in his maiden speech in Parliament.
Next week, Mercy Hospital will perform 36 grommet and tonsillectomy operations on children languishing on the Dunedin Hospital waiting list.
Medical staff would give their time for free and the private hospital would cover all other costs, he said. That was hardly the actions of a profit-motivated private sector.
That type of action had occurred several times and was happening because of the frustration of surgeons at worsening public waiting times.
"It's time to re-engage medical and nursing staff that feel increasingly disenfranchised from the decision-making process and put the patient at the centre of health-care delivery. We must accept with reasonable grace that not all needs can be met from the public purse. But I don't accept that this is as good as it gets."
The rest of the world was embracing new ways of delivering care, using new technologies and therapies.
Back office staff could not make those changes, only a re-engaged medical and nursing staff could, he said.
Mr Woodhouse was one of the last MPs to take part in the swearing-in ceremony last week and was one of the last to give his maiden speech before Parliament rises for the year today.
He was reminded of United States Senator George Mitchell's comments about commencement speeches.
"He said: 'I feel a bit like Elizabeth Taylor's fifth husband. I know what to do but I am not sure how to make it interesting'."
Mr Woodhouse dedicated his speech to his late father, Allan. He pledged that although he was elected from the National Party list he would represent the people of Dunedin in the House.
"I believe it is incumbent on all list members to be as active in representing a constituency as electorate MPs are, be that geographical, cultural, gender or some other form of representation.
"About 22,500 Dunedinites cast their party vote to my party and they have a voice in me. But, of course, my service is to all the people of Dunedin. I have blue and gold running through my veins and will work hard for the South."
