The Commonwealth Fund: 2007 International Health Policy Survey in Seven Countries

The latest Commonwealth Fund survey findings endorse the Labour-led government's investment in primary or first contact heath, Health Minister Pete Hodgson said from Washington today.

Results from the survey of seven developed countries health systems were released during the meeting of Commonwealth Health Ministers.

"By halving the annual cost of seeing your GP or nurse, and bringing down the cost of most prescriptions to $3, less New Zealanders are delaying visits to the doctor. We have rolled those benefits out over the last 5 years but we also want to strengthen the emphasis on healthy lifestyles and prevention of disease,” said Pete Hodgson.

"Results show, again, that our health policies are working for the most good for the most people. We deliver the best value for money of all seven countries,

"We also delivered 7000 more elective surgery operations last year, so the good news for New Zealand is across community and hospital-based services. However the survey also showed that NZ and other nations have much to do to improve coordination of healthcare including better IT systems to reduce things like medication error." said Pete Hodgson.

Full survey results

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"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision by the then Commissioner of Police to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified.

“However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... Police had no legal basis for stopping and searching vehicles or photographing drivers or passengers,” he said...

The report also showed that the detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>