Health Czar Lester Levy

09:05 am on 6 August 2024

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Health Commissioner, Lester Levy - the man in sole charge of the public health system.

He is three weeks into a two year term, tasked with fixing the system many describe as broken.

A massive budget blowout, a shortage of clinicans, overworked and burnt out staff, long waiting lists, and provinces and regions without adequate cover and left with telehealth.

He says his priority is to get waiting times down and improve productivity.

Professor Levy promises clinical service won't be impacted as he attempts to deal with an estimated $1.4 billion overspend.

He tells Paddy Gower how he plans to do this.

Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon