Questions over whether real change is being made on surgery wait times.

Health Minister Ayesha Verrall claims new data shows the Government's targeted approach to wait lists is making a real difference.

She says the Anaesthetic Technician Tactical group, set up to reduce theatre cancellations through workforce shortages, has seen improvements.

Professor of Surgery at Otago University Christchurch, Frank Frizelle told Mike Hosking the only thing that has changed is that capacity has been reduced.

He says cancellations are down because the number of operations on Mondays and Fridays has been dropped.

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