Tony Ryall MP
National Party Health Spokesman

9 November 2007

Capital’s child cancer service needs help

National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall is pleased that the campaign to rescue Wellington’s child cancer services is gathering momentum.

“The children’s oncology unit at Wellington Hospital treats patients from a large part of the lower North Island. It is unacceptable for it to be facing such a crisis.”

Professionals Real Estate Group has taken out a full page advertisement in today’s Dominion Post urging people to write to the Minister of Health ‘highlighting the need for urgent action’.

“On Wednesday David Cunliffe was ‘running the show’ and threatening to sack the board, but by Thursday sackings hadn’t figured in his thinking.”

Mr Ryall notes reports this morning that Capital Coast District Health Board chief executive Margot Mains has apparently brought forward her resignation.

“I think board chair Judith Aitken must be aware how bad it looks to have a departing chief executive on a two-week, board-funded, professional development trip when she is now due to leave on December 21.

“Why on Earth are they sending her to Oxford if she’s on her way out? Mr Cunliffe needs to seek some explanation about this use of precious health dollars since he is now ‘running the show’.

“Surely the money being spent on Ms Mains’ course would be better spent on recruiting new child cancer specialists?

Mr Ryall says the Minister must also seek assurances that Ms Mains’ departure will not cause further disruption to patients and their families.

Ends

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