Impact of COVID-19 on access to healthcare 11. Until the emergence of the Omicron variant, Aotearoa’s alert level system, which used lockdowns as one of the primary public health measures, was successful in eliminating the transmission of the COVID19 virus. In doing so, it enabled New Zealanders to enjoy greater freedoms and health than most other countries. However, COVID-19 also had a negative effect on access to non-Covid related healthcare, including for women. During lockdowns, non-urgent healthcare (such as screening) was discouraged and telehealth consultations were encouraged,20 and people delayed seeking healthcare.21 This may have resulted in delayed diagnosis and management.22 Recommendations: (a) What steps is the Government taking to remove barriers to women accessing primary healthcare during a pandemic, including for routine screening and reviews? (b) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that women who did not receive, or delayed seeking healthcare, including routine screenings or reviews, receive the healthcare they need? Disabled Women Disabled Women and COVID-19 12. Disabled women experience poorer social and economic outcomes than their non-disabled peers.23 For many disabled women – and particularly for tāngata whaikaha Māori,24 and disabled women from socioeconomically disadvantaged groups – the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequities. Recent reports found that the pandemic created some novel health challenges for disabled women, including access to personal protective equipment (PPE), vaccinations, testing and support to isolate.25 The COVID-19 emergency also exacerbated some existing inequalities for disabled people, such as mental health outcomes and access to mainstream health services.26 Recommendations: (a) Provide information on measures being taken to remove barriers to accessing healthcare services by disadvantaged groups of women, including disabled women. (b) Provide information on measures being taken to support disabled women and their whānau who are self-isolating because of COVID-19. Family carers 13. The majority of family carers are women.27 Caring for disabled people during COVID-19 therefore has a particular impact on women. In a recent survey, 64% of carers said they had to provide more care during 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Geraldine Wilson et al, “Navigating the health system during COVID-19: primary care perspectives on delayed patient care” (26 November 2021) 134(1546) New Zealand Medical Journal 17. More than half (55%) of survey respondents delayed seeking healthcare during lockdown. See Fiona Imlach et al, “Seeking Healthcare During Lockdown: Challenges, Opportunities and Lessons for the Future” (2021) x(x) International Journal of Health Policy and Management 1. Wilson et al, “Navigating the health system” above n 20. The Commission “Inquiry into the Support of Disabled People and Whānau uring Omicron” (20 April 2022) https://www.hrc.co.nz/files/3216/5041/7529/Omicron_Inquiry_Report_20_April_2022.pdf; The Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) “Making Disability Rights Real in a Pandemic” (January 2021) https://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/sites/default/files/202101/Making%20Disability%20Rights%20Real%20in%20a%20Pandemic.pdf. The IMM partners are the Disabled People’s Organisations (DPO) Coalition, the Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission. Disabled Māori. The Commission “Inquiry into the Support”; IMM “Making Disability Rights Real” above n 23. IMM “Making Disability Rights Real” above n 23, at 13. Kia Piki Ake | Welfare Expert Advisory Group “Current state: Carers of people with health conditions or disabilities” 6