Dr Lynda Scott

National Health Spokesperson

18th October 2002

Hawkes Bay health cuts a sign of things to come

News that the Hawkes Bay District Health Board is seeking permission from the Health Minister to cut $1.7 million of services is confirmation of the huge pressure Health Boards are under, says National's Health spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott.

"The Hawkes Bay Board has had the courage to be honest about what they are doing and admit they are cutting services. Other Boards around the country are under similar pressure and have reconfigured and re-organised their services to cut costs.

"The $230 million deficit facing Health Boards around the country is starting to make a serious impact.

"The Minister of Health Annette King has persisted with a two-faced attitude, telling Boards they must live within their means but not cut services.

"Annette King set up the Health Boards - she now has to take responsibility for these deficits and health cuts," said Dr Scott.

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