17 July 2002
Waitemata Dental Cuts Start Avalanche Of Health Cuts
Low income people in the Waitemata are set to lose urgent dental services because the Waitemata District Health Board is
having to cut services to reduce the deficit, says National Health Spokesperson Roger Sowry.
"Low income people who are in pain won't be able to get attention because the board simply can't continue to provide
this subsidised service when it is facing a projected deficit of $16 million in the 2001-02 financial year.
"The district health boards have to find $120m in cuts in the next financial year to reduce their deficits. The first
cuts to services are starting to appear just before the election but we are going to see an avalanche of cuts after the
election.
"Waitemata board papers indicate that consideration of cuts to fertility and dental services are just the tip of the
iceberg. The board has instructed managers to identify 'options in a number of other areas'. These 'options' should be
made public so people know exactly which services are next for the chopping block.
"The Government has instructed district health boards to reduce their deficits so they can breakeven. It is totally
unrealistic to expect boards to reduce a $200m deficit back to zero when the Government itself hasn't funded them to do
so.
"New Zealanders must vote for the health services they want, rather than cuts and patients being forced to go to
Australia for cancer treatment. National takes health seriously. We will wipe the boards' deficits and put more money
into health," Mr Sowry said.
Ends