Private Funding Shows Plunket's Public Support

Heather Roy Thursday, 28 September 2006

Press Releases - Health

Today's announcement that PlunketLine is 'here to stay' is a public vote of confidence in Plunket, and demonstrates how wrong Labour was to try and kill off Kiwis' favourite Well Child helpline, says ACT Health Spokesman, Heather Roy.

"I am glad that businesses and the community have rallied around to provide ongoing funding - but it's something they wouldn't have had to do if Labour had kept their promises", Mrs Roy said.

"In opposition, Helen Clark pledged that PlunketLine need never face closure due to lack of funding.

"Since then, Ms Clark has forgotten what a valuable and well-respected service PlunketLine is.

"It's no surprise that PlunketLine is still the first choice for many Kiwi parents, taking over 1200 calls a week.

"Now that it has ongoing private funding, we need to ask why McKesson is providing a taxpayer-funded duplicate service.

"This announcement should be seen as a huge - and well deserved - vote of confidence in Kiwi Plunket Nurses", Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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