Does reduction in health targets signal where health budget cuts will come?

Health services seem almost certain to be cut with the National Government’s announcement of a reduction in health targets, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

“Minister of Health Tony Ryall today confirmed that DHBs and the Ministry of Health will no longer concentrate on the areas which keep children and older people well,’ Ruth Dyson said.

“The Minister clearly does not believe mental health services, improving the oral health of our children, reducing emergency admissions to hospital – especially for chronic diseases like asthma, and improving family nutrition are important.

“Since National become government I have been highlighting alarming situations where DHBs have been forced to cut services designed to help older people stay independent in their homes, school nurse services, screening facilities and child cancer provision.

“His statement today conveniently avoids mentioning the names of services that DHBs will no longer be required to target, but it’s clear to me his tenure as Health Minister will be all about public relations rather than about improving public health.

“Health services should be focussed on keeping Kiwis well, unlike Mr Ryall’s approach to health which is clearly the sit back and wait until people are sick and then put them on waiting lists approach,”Ruth Dyson said.

ENDS

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