Lack of doctors is a major health concern
Maryan STREET
Health Spokesperson
3 February 2013
MEDIA STATEMENT
Lack of doctors is a major health concern
The report on doctor shortages released today by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists should be a wake up call to the Government, says Labour's Health Spokesperson, Maryan Street.
“Current and
projected shortages of medical specialists are of great
concern to New Zealanders. They deserve to know that if they
fall seriously ill, they will have access to the best
possible care.
“This is a critical issue now as
well as into the future. The Government has no plan to cope
with our ageing population. As our over 65s increase in
number, with more and more complex conditions, more
specialists are going to be required.
“On top of
that, 19% of our current specialists are due to retire in
the next five years. We have an emerging disaster because
this Government has failed to develop and implement a decent
plan to deal with
this.
ENDS