Jonathan Coleman MP
National Party Associate Health Spokesman & Wayne Mapp
National Party North Shore MP

29 February 2008

MPs challenge Cunliffe over stance on DHB

Two National Party MPs are challenging David Cunliffe to explain why he hasn't had more to say about North Shore Hospital in light of his stance on Hawke's Bay DHB.

"The board at Waitemata DHB are failing the North Shore public," say National's Associate Health and Northcote MP Jonathan Coleman and North Shore MP Wayne Mapp.

They are referring to alarming comments by North Shore senior doctors who say they can no longer tolerate 'unacceptable' conditions.

"A lack of Ministry and board planning has led to unacceptable conditions which are affecting patient well-being.

"The doctors know what needs to be done, but it's clear the board is more interested in silencing criticism than delivering the results for patients," says Dr Coleman.

"David Cunliffe was very quick to play the tough guy in Hawke's Bay. Perhaps it's time he explained to the people of North Shore why he's ignored them for so long. None of us have forgotten that North Shore had well-publicised problems at its emergency department only a few months ago," says Dr Mapp.

ENDS

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