Green Party Welcomes Health Reforms

Green Party Health Spokesperson Sue Kedgley today welcomed the Government's health reforms, saying they were long overdue and should redress many of the problems caused by the National-Act government.

"An underlying theme is more democracy and accountability in our health system - new district health boards with local community representatives and open meetings will lead to a far greater transparency," she said.

"The secrecy and divisiveness that have characterised the health sector for the past decade will hopefully disappear."

Ms Kedgley said while much of the detail of the Government's health reforms had still to come, the basic structure looked sound.

"We are yet to see how exactly we will avoid a repetition of the Gisborne cervical cancer problems, long waiting lists and small hospital closures.

"However with health boards becoming so much more accountable to local communities, there should be a major improvement on these issues," she said. "I hope to see also a place for complementary health therapy, and a greater emphasis on health prevention to address the underlying causes of ill health, rather than a narrow focus on treating people once they have become ill."

Sue Kedgley MP 04 4706728

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