Shifting Sands: The Public-Private Healthcare Dilemma

This chapter examines the implications of increasing reliance on private hospitals for elective surgeries, stressing the potential long-term risks to public healthcare quality and training. It discusses the divide between public and private healthcare systems, concerns about inequity for uninsured individuals, and the worsening staffing shortages faced by public hospitals. The chapter advocates for exploring alternative healthcare models to improve access and sustainability while addressing the financial and operational challenges plaguing New Zealand's healthcare system.