08 October 2004

Health Minister Failing BOP Patients

Rt Hon Winston Peters says the Health Minister has failed to ensure that the Bay of Plenty region is receiving adequate health care funding to cater for its ageing population.

“Despite receiving letters from aged care providers in Tauranga expressing concern about the funding shortfalls they are faced with, the Minister denies that the level of funding they receive is inadequate,” said Mr Peters.

“Once again, she has passed the buck onto the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, claiming that they are responsible for the annual review of aged related residential care contracts.

“This just serves to highlight the true lack of leadership from the Minister of Health and her Ministry.

“New Zealanders simply aren’t getting value for money from the health system.

“The Minister must show some accountability, establish national level strategies and reduce the oversized bureaucracy so that health dollars can go where they are intended to ensure the provision of adequate health care to those who need it,” Mr Peters concluded.

(Reponse to Mr Peters’ written question dated 21 September 2004 attached)

13968 (2004). Rt Hon Winston Peters to the Minister of Health (21 September 2004):
Has she received any reports or have any knowledge that funding allocated to the Bay of Plenty District Health Board through vote Health is not able to meet the demands of the Aged Care industry in Tauranga; if so, what is she proposing to do about this? Hon Annette King (Minister of Health) replied: Bay of Plenty DHB has not indicated to me that funding allocated to it through Vote Health is not adequate to meet the demands of the aged care sector in Tauranga.

I have received correspondence from aged care providers about the level of funding they receive. Since 1 October 2003 DHBs have been responsible for the annual review of aged related residential care contracts. These discussions are ongoing and it is not appropriate for me to make any comments about the negotiations and the level of funding that providers presently receive.

ENDS

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