As part of the November New Zealand Doctor/IMS
Health fax poll, GPs were asked to write down their impressions of
health minister Tony Ryall. The poll attracted 89 responses. The
following are unedited comments from GPs.
Unknown to me
good
Poor understanding of palliative or cancer care
He does take an interest in health. He does make effort, although
I do not agree with his take on primary health.
I think he is interestered and trying hard
Platformed to get into parliament on building a new school at
Papamoa that they don't need. Seems to be keen on large
multidisciplined medical facilities but isn't providing a
model to fund or manage such a system.
Pretty anonymous
Seems to be behind the 8 ball
Has consulted well with the sector but now needs to follow through
with actions which support general practice teams.
Intelligent, sensible and cost efficient
Reasonable performance in difficult portfolio
Better than Annette King
Very approachable, easy to talk to. Interested
Have no idea
Unsure re pathology with Integrated Health Centres and changes in
DHB-PHO
Effective minister - very much in control. Operates like a
roman Emperor a lot of assassinations going on behind the
scenes
Better than most
I don't know this person so I can't say
Appears confident and competant
Okay
Appears to be trying to get to grips with the health
portfolio
Researched portfolio, operating to party strategies re
cost/privatisation, some expense to innovation
Dapper ties. Not a good listener -
I am impressed with his action
A lot of chat about incentives for keeping doctors in NZ but
nothing concrete I've noticed
Intelligent, open-minded, commited to clinical leadership and
positive change.
Arrogant. Doesn't listen
Sounds quite positive
Quite involved in secot, can overmanage small stuff - endless
texts and emails
Don't know
Hard working, gives appearance of listening to key stake holders,
clothes indicate an affinity to John Galliano
I don't know him at all
Speaks well on the radio but blinkered in his vision and does not
answer questions/criticism in a useful or meaningful way
What has he achieved so far?
He is looking after hospitals not primary health
He has not made things any easier or more efficient in general
practice, just more PHO restructuring hassles and problems
good
Sorry I don't really have much of an opinion on him either
way.
I think he is doing reasonable job and hope him to do well
Energetic. Has health goals - a sense of purpose -
encouraging
Willing to listen
I haven't heard enough from him
Lacks in depth understanding of what 'better, sooner,more
convenient' means within the diverse NZ population and is very
superficial in his approach to health care
I don't know anything about Tony - only heard his name
Enthusiastic and approachable. Unlike predecessors he does
not appear to regard General Practice as a 'threat', but does not
understand (like many in General Practice) WHY General Practice
works let alone HOW it works. He has demonstrated a
willingness to learn - and that makes him the best Minister of
Health in at least 30 years.
I have spoken to him at length on the phone and find him quite
realistic.
No impression
Seems ok
I don't know
All talk, no useful action
Show pony!
Genuinely listens & interested
Who is he?
Intelligent, potentially ruthless!
Not made a big impression on me or my job
Forward thinking. But trying to progress his ideas too
quickly
Competent politician
Good listener, interested (by reputation) in health even prior to
election
Seems to be pragmatic
Sorry, no idea
Style over substance
Good in parts
Don't know
I don't think much of Tony Ryall
He is a good health minister
Average
Doing an excellent if flamboyant job
Wanting to shift load of care from Secondary to primary care
without financial considerations to primary care: ie- ask GP to
work more but not recognise this financially
Ridiculously political and not health orientated. Why does
NZ have 1000 GP's less that what we need? Government have not
thought about getting more GPs - National's policy - too late- they
have been in Govt many times before.
The sort of health minister we want
Good on rhetoric and action that appeals to voters
Excellent
Managing a tough job reasonably well
I'm Labour! Yet I really think he has tried, especially when in
opposition to understand his portfolio