17 July 2002
Kaitaia Needs Permanent Solution -- Carter
Northland MP John Carter says he is disturbed that no long-term solution has been found in regard to 24-hour surgical
and maternity services at Kaitaia hospital.
"The temporary measures forced upon the people of Northland last week by Health Minister Annette King and the Labour
Government are not working.
"This politically expedient short-term compromise - to get the Government past the upcoming election - is not only
causing anxiety in the far North, it is now impacting on surgical services at Whangarei.
"In a valiant attempt to meet the political demands of Annette King and solve the crisis at Kaitaia hospital, Northland
Health are now in the invidious position of having to juggle staff between Whangarei and Kaitaia."
Mr Carter says Helen Clark and her Labour Government have a responsibility to the people of the far North to provide
safe, accessible health services that have always been available at Kaitaia.
"This matter needs - and must be - resolved right now not after July 27," John Carter says.
Ends