English promises more money for hip, knee and joint operations

Elective surgeries will rise by more than 20,000 a year if the National Party stays in power, leader Bill English announced this morning.

English said his party would lift spending on hip, knee and joint operations by $30m each year for the next four years. That would allow 200,000 operations a year by 2020/21, up from the current 174,000.

When National came into office, about 118,000 elective surgeries were done a year.

"We think this is so important because it relieves chronic pain, restores independence, and improves quality of life," English told a crowd at the Bob Scott retirement home in Petone.

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said that as New Zealanders lived longer, access to elective surgery became more important.

"Doing more is crucial," he said.

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern addressed National's health announcement after visiting building apprentices at a build site in Pukekohe.

"After chronic underfunding of our health system they are now responding to this issue after nine years in office.

"When Middlemore Hospital is putting up signs saying they cannot take any more patients, you know that you have a crisis on your hands. Unfortunately this is too little, too late."