Francesca Rudkin: Health is a priority in National's Ministerial reshuffle

Like many of us over the summer, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon used his downtime to reflect on the year that had been, and like many of us put together his in and out list for 2025. This is the way young people do New Year’s Resolutions these days. But what’s in and out took on a new rather crude spin yesterday afternoon when he announced a reshuffle of Ministerial roles for National MPs.  Melissa Lee lost all her portfolios. Matt Doocey is handing over ACC, Tourism and Hospitality, and Youth to various other MP’s to focus on his Mental Health and Associate Health roles. And Dr Shane Reti passes on the Health portfolio to Simeon Brown, instead picking up a new Universities roles, plus Science, Innovation and Technology.   The emphasis on health and economic growth is not a surprise, and while the Prime Minister continues to express confidence in Reti, and spoke of his achievements last year, it’s clear he’s decided his Minister’s skills are better used elsewhere.   However, the health goals remain. What the government wants to see is faster cancer treatment, shorter stays in ED’s, shorter wait times to see a GP, get a specialist appointment or get an elective treatment.   But Health is a beast of a portfolio, and obviously it become clear to the Prime Minister that the New Zealand public is not impressed with the speed of progress towards these targets. I appreciate Luxon’s loyalty – others questioned Reti’s performance last year - but loyalty doesn’t get the job done, and Luxon needs a political operator who can, in his words, deliver and execute.   Step on up the Delivery Man, Simeon Brown.   Prime Minister Luxon described Dr Reti as a top-quality human being and a team player when asked how he took the news. I couldn’t agree more. He’s a good guy – I've always found him to be thoughtful, dignified, his intentions genuine, and knowledgeable on the health system. But he wasn’t quite so good at communicating how things were moving forward – in simple, decisive, reassuring soundbites.   Yes, there were wins – such as the announcement of cancer drugs, another 17 billion being thrown at health over 3 years, and a suggestion of change in culture at Health NZ. But these can’t compete with headline grabbing issues the system is facing. Things like staff shortages, governance issues, funding deficits, and the proposal to scale back Dunedin Hospital's rebuild.   On top of that, too many front line and senior clinicians said Dr Reti was out of his depth.   I wonder if Dr Reti is quietly sighing with relief at being moved on from a portfolio often seen as a poisonous chalice. He might not have had the mongrel to get Health under control quickly enough for the National leader, but that’s not to say he won’t be effective in his new roles.   While the Prime Minister has previously said he sees no need for a reshuffle, this is a positive start to 2025 for Luxon.  Sure, if it aint broke don’t fix it, but if you think you can do better – then hell yeah, let’s go.   Hopefully we get a more efficient health system out of it.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.