Rt Hon Wyatt Creech
Opposition Health Spokesperson
Monday 28 February 2000
Leaked health papers reveal impossible work programme
Papers on the health reforms leaked to the Opposition reveal an impossible work programme, that’s already running behind
schedule.
“The papers show squads of officials from all over the bureaucracy tied up in think tanks, grappling with huge issues to
be resolved within deadlines that can’t be met.
“According to the papers the Government is already behind in their work programme,” Opposition Health spokesperson Wyatt
Creech said today.
“The Primary Health Care strategy was due out last week – on 23 February – but it is nowhere to be seen.
“There was also supposed to be a range of hui for Maori providers on 18 February.
“And Cabinet was today supposed to consider the future role of the Crown Company Monitoring Unit in the health sector –
that’s not happening either.
“The papers state that the workload on officials is so heavy, that costings are a low priority. This adds fuel to
concerns amongst health professionals that the reforms are just ideologically driven.
“With all the focus on restructuring who is doing the basic health policy work that ensures the right health services
are delivered to New Zealanders?
“There is no doubt that the reforms are being rushed. We can all learn lessons from the previous reforms to the health
system. In hindsight one of the mistakes was the speed in which they were implemented.
“The Government’s already been presented with grave concerns about the speed and detail of the reforms and impact on
services, particularly Maori services. The Government is setting all of us up for big problems in our health system at a
time when it is working well.”
Copy of leaked health reform papers available from Anna Hughes 04 4719 819
Ends