Launch of Bariatric Management Innovations Initiative, Wellington Hospital

Thank you for your warm welcome.

It is a pleasure to be here today to officially launch the Bariatric Management Innovations Initiative. 

I would like to start by acknowledging those who have developed this initiative – Dr Caz Hales, Lecturer and Researcher, and Lesley Gray, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, both of the University of Otago; and Todd Bishop, General Manager of Essential HelpCare. 

I want to recognise your vision and commitment to working together, and acknowledge that this event today represents a lot of collective energy, development and focus to see the Initiative become a reality.

I applaud partnerships such as this one, which demonstrate the benefits of collaborative efforts between health, academia and communities to address major health and social issues, improving outcomes for New Zealanders. 

The Government considers that science and research will increasingly play a vital role in developing knowledge that can help address our particular environmental, health and social advantages and challenges.

Collaboration between researchers and those that deliver health services is important, as it will increase the likelihood of research being translated into ways that improve health outcomes and health system performance.

The Initiative

In health, we know that solutions work best when they recognise and support the individual needs of the user.

Those in our population at the upper end of the weight scale can face a range of challenges – from prejudice and inequity, through to personal motivation and familial support. 

With more and more New Zealanders being obese, it is vital that we provide health care services that truly support these people, in a safe way, and in a way that is equitable with others.

I am excited to hear about this Initiative, which aims to enable research informed care practices for those who may be vulnerable due to obesity.

It is great to see a number of our sector leaders here today, who I know will be interested in learning about your research and plans. 

Particularly, how service delivery models and practices, translated from your research, can be integrated into their organisations, and improve outcomes.

Obesity priority

Being overweight or obese is expected to overtake tobacco as the leading preventable risk to health in New Zealand within the next 12 months. 

Addressing obesity, and in particular childhood obesity, is a priority for me.

There is no single solution that will fix obesity. 

That is why we have developed a range of interventions across Government, the private sector, communities, schools and families.

In an aim to reduce obesity, the Government introduced the Childhood Obesity Plan which includes improved public information and resources; increasing physical activity, some of which will be done in education settings; actions for the health sector, and the food and beverage industry. 

Our plan focuses on children as that is where the evidence shows we can have the greatest influence.

By focusing on children we expect to also influence the whole family.

The 22 initiatives in the plan are a mix of new, or an expansion of existing services which are grouped into three key themes:

• Targeted interventions for those who are obese
• Increased support for those at risk of becoming obese
• Broad strategies to make healthier choices easier

The package of initiatives to prevent and manage obesity will take a life-course approach, with a strong focus on intervening in early life stages, to ensure positive and sustained effects on health.

We also need to improve the broader environment so that it becomes easier for New Zealanders to make healthier choices.

The Ministry of Health is engaging with a broad range of departments across government and with the food and beverage industry.

This is only a first step in sustained and longer-term work to improve diets and lifestyles, change behaviour, and reduce the burden of long-term conditions for all New Zealanders, not just children.

Bariatric surgery

While providing a number of resources and initiatives for the prevention of obesity, the Government is also supporting those who are extremely obese to lose weight and engage in a healthy lifestyle. 

Bariatric surgery can be one tool for this particular group.

From 2010/11, the government committed funding of $8 million over four years to achieve an additional 300 bariatric procedures nationally. 

The programme exceeded this target.

In 2014, the government announced a further $10 million of funding to support continued focus on bariatric surgery. 

The goal is for at least 480 bariatric surgery operations over four years (commencing 2014/15). 

District Health Boards are on track to deliver this.

A partnership with clinical representatives from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, General Practitioners, endocrinologists, bioethicists and others has resulted in considerable work on bariatric pathways and clinical prioritisation. 

This engagement and input from clinical leaders has been critical in the consistent implementation of the prioritisation tool across the country.

Generally, a regional approach is being taken, with DHBs referring to regional centres to achieve service delivery.

As I have said, obesity is a complex issue, and bariatric surgery is only one of the tools to be used. 

New Zealand is focussed on the importance of the outcomes of operations, so that the operations we are performing deliver good results. 

Health literary skills are required to support and manage the lifestyle changes needed for effective long-term health management. 

My expectations are that the new, New Zealand Health Strategy will have a strong focus on improving health literacy.

Closing remarks

During my travels around the country, it has been great to hear about the innovations and improvements that are being made.

I hope this Initiative serves as a way to build on those improvements already underway. 

The role of the research sector is extremely important in supporting the Government to identify and implement innovative approaches to take New Zealand forward.

Health services research can improve health outcomes and health system performance, by improving collaboration between researchers and health delivery providers. 

Thank you for all your work in improving the health of the public.

I wish you every success, and hope you enjoy the evening.