Senior Doctors Warn Against Health Cost Cutting

“Senior Doctors Warn Against Health Cost Cutting; Health Should Be Seen As Economic Investment”

“Senior doctors are warning district health boards about cost cutting in response to the economic recession” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“When DHBs are placed under financial pressure they sometimes make short-term financial decisions without regard to the longer term results. We are already aware of at least one DHB seeking not to replace vacant positions. Whether these positions are medical, health professional or clerical, not filling positions will effect directly or directly the effectiveness of patient care.”

“Instead the government and DHBs should see health spending as an economic investment. The more effective our health services, the less the costs of poor health on the economy and the more productive the workforce. Investing in health during an economic recession should be as much a part of investment in infrastructure as an investment in transportation.”

“Instead of financial retrenchment, DHBs should focus on improving effectiveness by significantly upgrading health professional leadership in decision-making. This will provide a better return for the health dollar. Senior doctors have been advocating health professional leadership for several years and our position has been endorsed by the Health Minister.”

“Health cuts don’t heal. They risk harming patients and end up being more expensive” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell

Executive Director

ENDS

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