Patients Blinded By Labour Ideals

Tuesday 24 Jun 2003 Heather Roy Press Releases -- Health

ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy has once again accused Health Minister Annette King of providing New Zealanders with a Third World health system, after reports that more than 200 Wellington Hospital eye patients have waited longer than six months for surgery.

"This clearly shows that the Labour Government is not just killing heart patients, it is stealing patients' eyesight as well," Mrs Roy said.

"While the public may believe that the problems with our health system are isolated to heart surgery waiting lists, recent media reports show that serious problems are widespread - not only are eye patients suffering, but Wellington Hospital is now also `reviewing people on gastroenterology, respiratory, ophthalmology, and ear, nose and throat waiting lists'. Putting people on active review effectively hides the true number of people elligible for, and needing, treatment.

"Thanks to Ms King and her Government's ideological opposition to private contribution to healthcare, we have been left with a Soviet-style health system - where patients are left to suffer because the state cannot meet their needs.

"The Minister must put patients' needs ahead of Labour ideology. The Government may pat itself on the back for keeping the private sector out of healthcare, but I'm sure that provides cold comfort for the eye patient who will never be able to see their loved ones again," Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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