Judith Collins - National Party Health Spokeswoman

24 November 2004

Health crisis worsens as budget blows out

National’s Health spokeswoman, Judith Collins, says the health budget blowout shows the crisis in the health sector is worsening.

“Helen Clark promised a ‘balanced budget for our public health services’, but over the past five years we have learnt that Labour’s ‘balanced budgets’ are in fact budget blowouts.”

“Figures released today show the District Health Boards’ deficit has sky-rocketed by almost $15 million in the September quarter, despite the Government increasing health spending by almost $3 billion over the past five years.”

Ms Collins says the Government is trying to hide the crisis, which was started by their ill thought-out health reforms, but, as these figures show, it is worsening.

“DHBs are struggling to deliver services under the weight of the Government’s increasing demands.

“The Government’s ideological bent is pushing DHBs to breaking point. As a result, waiting lists are spiralling out of control; even the waiting list to get on a waiting list is growing, and our hospital A&E departments are struggling.

“Sadly, it is those least able to cope - ill New Zealanders - who will ultimately pay the price,” says Ms Collins.

ENDS

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