16 October 2008

Can regions trust Nat’s not to cut jobs and services?

The Labour government has delivered more health services, more frontline health staff and more hospitals but these would be under threat in a National Government Minister of Health David Cunliffe said.

“The National Party insert name of town here press release issued by Tony Ryall fails to address a single health issue and points more toward their agenda of privatisation and job losses.”

Mr Cunliffe said under Labour more people were getting greater access to prescription medicines, affordable GP appointments, diabetes lets get checked. There were seven new hospitals and eight refurbished hospitals.

“While we have delivered more services, more hospitals and a longer life expectancy, the National Party have delivered a policy that is little more than a stock take of the current health system and plans for increased privatisation.”

Mr Cunliffe said the entire health sector had grown including doctors and nurses and the proportion of non-clinical staff had remained relatively static.

“We have employed around 1000 additional doctors and 3000 additional nurses since coming to power.”

“In these uncertain economic times it worries me that the National Party could be so careless with people’s futures both in health and job security.”

“It’s time Mr Ryall stopped levelling politically motivated attacks at DHBs and the Ministry of Health and concentrated on developing some innovative ideas of his own.

“New Zealanders don’t want to see politicians attacking the health sector, they want people who are committed to growing it.”

Mr Cunliffe said while the National Party had focussed on bureaucrat numbers Labour has focussed on improving people’s health.

“At the end of the day there are more health services and there are more people delivering them.”

“Is National going to stop fruit in schools, lift the cost of prescription drugs, let GP fees sky rocket? Do they want doctors and nurses answering phones and staffing reception desks?”

ENDS

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