Todd Talks By Todd Muller

Our community is getting the surgery they need to live longer and more active lives. Increasing the number of elective surgeries being carried out is a priority for National, and more operations are now being performed each year.

Last year 9424 people in the Bay received elective surgery, compared to 6255 in 2007/2008. That's a 51 per cent increase, a result which is a credit to increased funding targeted to achieve real results and the hardworking health region's professionals.

The number of New Zealanders receiving elective surgery across the country has increased by 42 per cent in the last seven years, from 117,954 in 2007/08 to 167,188 in 2014/15. That's about 50,000 more surgeries being performed than when National came into government.

In May we announced $98 million from Budget 2015 to further boost elective surgery and improve the prevention and treatment of orthopaedic conditions. This funding is helping deliver an average extra 4000 elective operations per year over the next four years, meaning New Zealanders can live longer, healthier lives, which are free of pain.

The health budget has grown to a record $15.9 billion this year, including more than $300 million for district health boards to help meet demand from population growth and provide extra services for New Zealanders. The Bay of Plenty District Health Board's funding has increased by $145 million over the last seven years.

The demands on our health budget remain huge and that's part of why we fund free doctor's visits for all children under 13. This has a great impact for local families and also improves overall access at an earlier stage of the need, rather than presenting a child at an Emergency Department because the doctor was too expensive.

The feedback I'm getting around the electorate is this policy is making a real difference to Kiwi families.