Labour Health spokesperson Ruth DysonFriday 29 January 2010, 12:03PM
Media release from Labour Health spokesperson Ruth
Dyson
More patients are to miss out on health care as yet another DHB
moves to cut services, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson
says.
"Taranaki DHB has announced that it will be looking to slash the
number of ACC surgeries it carries out, cutting back waiting list
surgery, reducing staff numbers, and the use of diagnostic
radiology such as CT scans," Ruth Dyson said.
"This latest round of cuts to patient services discredits the
National Government's claims of moving backroom resources to the
frontline.
"My concern is that frontline services are on the chopping block
around the country. Meanwhile, all the Minister of Health Tony
Ryall does is repeat his mantra 'we are moving backroom to
frontline'. In reality this is simply a lie.
"DHBs are not dumping backroom functions and increasing frontline
services. Taranaki DHB announced service cuts, Canterbury DHB
cut home support for up to 1200 elderly people, Southland and Otago
DHBs are looking to implement cash for additional services charge,
and rumours of GP fee increase are gaining momentum - all of which
are frontline services.
"I am deeply concerned that patients around the country are
beginning to miss out on vital health services while the Minister
of Health is busy repeating his Public Relations slogans.
"Labour increased health services and the National Government is
busy dismantling them," Ruth Dyson said.