Hon ANDREW LITTLE (Minister of Health): At this time, the priority of the Government and the Ministry of Health, as kaitiaki of the health and disability system, is to support the district health boards in responding to COVID-19. As we've seen globally, the Delta variant of COVID-19 creates an acute threat to individuals' health and, as well, to health systems. Reporting on delays caused by the current lockdown is not possible because DHBs have not yet reported data to the Ministry of Health. This data is not available on a real-time basis, and is reported in arrears. We will have a clearer picture of what has been done and what has not been done in August, once the data is coded in October. However, the Ministry of Health is working closely with DHBs to support their response to the August 2021 outbreak and is monitoring the impact that alert level 4 lockdown is having on service delivery. At this stage, I can report to the House that district health boards have estimated that there were approximately 1,300 planned care cancellations in the first week of alert level 4, the majority of which are in the northern region. However, all DHBs have reported disruption to their services. Regarding the proportion of these cancellations that are related to cancer services, the Ministry of Health does not have real-time information on this either. However, I am advised that clinicians are generally reporting there is strong focus on ensuring that cancer patients continue to receive the care they need, and that, while some treatments may have been rescheduled, the vast majority of essential cancer treatments, such as specialist appointments, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgeries have been continuing as expected. Cancellations of services, when they happen, are aligned with guidance from the Ministry of Health and consider urgency and clinical risk of patients. Members of this House should be aware that urgent and non-deferrable care is carried out under all alert levels.