A Government task force has delivered 101 recommendations to cut surgical wait times - but the plan has attracted its share of critics already.
The recommendations include giving GPs more ability to diagnose without the need for a specialist, moving patients between regions for care, and greater use of the private sector.
However, various sectors within the health industry spoken to by RNZ say the Te Whatu Ora proposals are too vague and don't address the core reasons behind tens of thousands of people waiting for non-urgent surgery.
New Zealand Association of General Surgeons president Vanessa Blair spoke to Māni Dunlop.
