Barbara Stewart MP
Spokesperson for Health
3 February 2014

Hospital Problems Tip of the Iceberg

Hygiene concerns that have gone unaddressed at Wellington Hospital reflect the sorry state of the country’s health system, says New Zealand First.

A recent Capitol and Coast District Health Board audit identified hygiene concerns at the hospital.

Health spokesperson Barbara Stewart says this reflects the sorry state of New Zealand’s health system.

“If ‘fiscal concerns’ are used as an excuse for delaying repairs to furniture that poses a significant infection risk then the Government should be ashamed of itself.

“The issue is that the welfare of children is being compromised. The hygiene concerns and risks of cross-infection identified in the audit should not exist in this day and age.

“It is unacceptable that children might become seriously ill from conditions in a hospital.

“With budget increases failing to cover the increasing demand and increasing costs of healthcare this is unlikely to be an isolated problem.

“The Government needs to take responsibility for the health risks they are creating by preventing DHB’s from undertaking necessary improvements and renovations,” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

© Scoop Media