National Party policy on hospitals "putting patients first"

National will make the reduction of hospital waiting lists a first priority ... inviting private hospitals to tender for public health work ... granting public hospitals greater autonomy ... and introducing a new funding policy which will lead to greater efficiency. As the full benefits of these moves begin to flow through the system we will then be in a position to lift our hospital system back to a front rank position in world health. Preparatory to this a New Technology Advisory Group will be appointed. We will also lower the barriers that have traditionally separated the public and private hospital systems; allowing work and funds to flow freely between the two, thus leading to greater productivity and a better health service for all New Zealanders. National not only wants to achieve "Health by the Year 2000", but to restore health care in New Zealand to a level where we will once again be the envy of the world.