New surgery prioritisation system sparks ‘absolute fire storm’ in New Zealand

Debate has ignited in New Zealand over a new prioritisation system for surgeries which includes ethnicity as a factor in determining waitlist positioning.

The ‘equity adjuster wait-list’ examines five factors, including ethnicity, to determine clinical priority.

New Zealand broadcaster Sean Plunkett says “essentially you get more points to move up the waiting list if you are a Pacific Islander or Maori”.

Press PLAY below to hear how the system has been received by the public in New Zealand

“This has caused an absolute fire storm,” he told Neil Mitchell.

“A lot of health professionals are saying that has nothing to do with how sick you are.”