Simon Bridges National MP simonbridges.co.nz

In my last column I wrote about the focus of Budget 2014 is on families with the extension of paid parental leave, investment in vulnerable children, more money for education and free doctor's visits and prescriptions for all children under 13.

I want to expand more on this last point and discuss what we're doing in the health sector to deliver on our promise to provide better, sooner, more convenient healthcare for New Zealanders.

National introduced the zero fees scheme for children aged under six – and due to prudent management of the health budget we're now able to extend this to all children under 13.

More than 400,000 primary school-aged children and their families are expected to benefit.

A strong public health service gives families peace of mind and it's been a priority of the National-led Government.

Keeping ourselves and our families healthy is one of the most important things for Kiwis. But if we do become sick, we want to know we have a reliable public health service to fall back on.

Despite incredible economic challenges, National has continued to invest more than ever before in public health. We've put an additional $3.34 billion of new operating and capital funding into health during the last five years – and next year our public health services budget will reach a record $15.6 billion.

We are also making sure each dollar goes further and is targeted where it is most-needed.

As result, during the last five years record numbers of New Zealanders have received operations they need; faster than ever before. And 40,000 more patients now receive elective surgery each year.

We have moved the focus from the back office to the frontline. Latest data from the Ministry of Health shows record numbers of doctors and nurses at the bedside caring for patients in our public hospitals.

Since 2008 more than 1300 doctors and 3000 nurses have entered our health workforce. Without their care, compassion and commitment we wouldn't be able to deliver quality health services.

Protecting and growing the public health service for New Zealand families is part of our priority to deliver better public services. This Government has provided not only record funding, but record results.