Newly appointed commissioner of Health New Zealand Lester Levy has revealed that the organisation’s financial situation is worse than anticipated, with some monthly deficits exceeding the estimated $130 million.
Tasked with addressing a $1.4 billion overspend and “systemic issues,” Levy told media there was an urgent need for rapid changes to prevent the agency from going broke in the coming months. He stressed that financial stability must be achieved swiftly to address pressing cash-flow problems before Christmas. Levy also said that reducing long waiting times for patients remains a top priority.
In addition to financial woes, Health NZ is grappling with severe staff shortages, with overworked clinicians and inadequate coverage in various regions, leading to reliance on telehealth services. Levy has initiated a review to identify the most severe staff shortages and potential safety concerns, with results expected in the next month or two.
This article was originally published by Daily Telegraph New Zealand.
