Announcing the appointment today, NZPSHA President Blair Roxborough said that as the New Zealand health system continues to face unprecedented demand for services and, as the population ages, strong leadership and new thinking was required. Chris Roberts has been appointed Chief Executive of the New Zealand Private Surgical Hospitals Association (NZPSHA) in what the organisation says is a pivotal time to forge closer private-public partnerships across the health sector.

Announcing the appointment today, NZPSHA President Blair Roxborough said that as the New Zealand health system continues to face unprecedented demand for services and, as the population ages, strong leadership and new thinking was required.

“With a management background in government, utilities, research and membership advocacy, Chris is a respected professional who will bring a fresh perspective in his advocacy of the surgical services offered by NZPSHA’s 34 hospital members,” Roxborough said.

“From complex neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery, orthopaedic and gynaecological services, through to minor procedures, our collective facilities play a crucial role in easing the every-day burden on public hospitals by delivering timely, effective, and quality care to those in need.

“Performing over 220,000 surgical discharges each year, 67% of all elective surgery in New Zealand is undertaken at members’ facilities, including the delivery of 90% of ACC’s elective services.

“But for Health New Zealand elective services, this figure seldom rises over 10%,” said Roxborough.

As the CEO of Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) for almost eight years, Roberts is well known for giving a voice to the thousands of kiwi businesses whose livelihoods came to an abrupt standstill in the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic.

“Overnight, one of New Zealand’s largest industries had to think and act differently in the face of a crisis. It took a collective effort to survive and now thrive,” says Roberts.

“It is this type of fresh strategy that is needed, with our hospitals and the government working in partnership to help relieve the acute pressure on our health system.”

“A balanced approach, incorporating both public and private contributions and making the most efficient use of the resources available, will deliver the best outcomes.

“Every patient treated in a private hospital is one less on the public waitlist. Whether its private or public surgical facilities, we have a shared investment in achieving the best health outcomes for all Kiwis,” Roberts says.