In June 2024, the New Zealand Government launched the ‘Government Policy Statement on Health’. It is the Government’s four year Health Strategy which is to be implemented between 2024 – 2027. This strategy is governed by the Ministry of Health.
The Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Health 2024-27 is the public statement of what Government expects the health system to deliver and achieve, and how success will be measured, monitored, and reported.
The GPS sets the direction for the health system as a whole and incorporates the Government’s priorities. It sets the expectations for health entities to make sure they are working towards common goals that matter for New Zealanders.
The GPS outlines the New Zealand Health Plan. Each priority area in the GPS includes a set of key measures, focused on the desired changes. Health entities will report regularly against these measures. The Ministry of Health will report publicly on the results of these GPS measures every year.
The GPS also sets clear parameters for the New Zealand Health Plan, which will be published by Health New Zealand in 2024.
The GPS 2024-27 sets out five priority areas for the health system.
Infrastructure – ensuring that the health system is resilient and has the digital and physical infrastructure it needs to meet people’s needs now and the future.
Access – ensuring all New Zealanders have equitable access to the health care services they need, no matter where they live.
Timeliness – making sure all New Zealanders can access these services in a prompt and efficient way.
Quality – ensuring New Zealand’s health care and services are safe, easy to navigate, understandable and welcoming to users, and are continuously improving.
Workforce – having a skilled and culturally capable workforce who are accessible, responsive, and supported to deliver safe and effective health care.
For further information on the ‘Government Policy Statement on Health’ strategy, please visit: Government Policy Statement on Health 2024–2027 | Ministry of Health NZ
Source: Minister of Health. 2024. Government Policy Statement on Health 2024 – 2027. Wellington: Ministry of Health. ISBN: 978-1-991075-77-2