Today at 10 am the Epidemic Response Committee will be hearing from Sir David Skegg, NZ Medical Association, NZ Aged Care Association, Pharmacy Guild of NZ, NZ Disability Support Network and NZ Dental Association.

Watch here: https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/scl/epidemic-response/news-archive/watch-public-meetings-of-the-epidemic-response-committee/

Kate Baddock from the NZ Medical Association says that the effect of Covid-19 has been felt industry wide, and describes the scrambling for general practices to prepare itself for Covid-19 was "frantic" and an incredible feat.

General practice went from face-to-face consulting to 90% virtual consultations in a matter of 48 hours.

Baddock is concerned for the mental health fall out for people who have had cancelled outpatient appointments and surgeries.

Cervical smear tests and mammograms have been deferred due to the restrictions on physical contact.

Baddock describes the flu vaccine debacle as a "total disaster"

Baddock explains that unlike other small businesses, general practices in NZ are constrained as ability to charge co-payments and funding is limited by govt, as a consequence practices are hand to mouth, so when cash flow is turned off the practices face challenges.

Simon Wallace from the NZ Aged Care Association says government attention wasn't given until they went public with their PPE issues

Andrew Gaudin from the Pharmacy Guild of NZ says they have been unsuccessful in their bids to talk to both the Minister of Health David Clark and Director General Ashley Bloomfield about issues facing the pharmaceutical industry.