Media Release
04 March 2004

More Resources Needed For Health

New Zealand First is urging the Government to give priority to extra health spending in the upcoming budget.

“Our primary concern is that the public health system should be able to meet patient needs in a safe and effective way,” said health spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Staffing levels remain a real concern and urgent attention is needed to address nursing workloads, improving morale and ensuring the quality of patient care.

“Whether specific staffing ratios are the best long-term solution for achieving these aims needs to be closely examined, but action is required now and this may be a very good starting point.

“The exporting of our nurses due to inadequate resources and working conditions within the health service is ludicrous.

“It is time for this Government to stop gloating about its huge budget surplus and start using that surplus to benefit all New Zealanders.

“Our health system is collapsing around us. It must be fixed before it is too late,” said Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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