Minister makes secret hospital visits

Health Minister Tony Ryall. Photo / Mark Mitchell

It has been revealed the Health Minister makes "secret shopper" visits to hospitals - without warning hospital staff - to check up on how they are being run.

Tony Ryall has been known to pop into the public areas of hospitals, introduce himself to patients and chat about their experiences.

A spokesman says the visits are normally spur-of-the-moment and are carried out to see how hospitals are operating and dealing with patients.

- Newstalk ZB