Barbara Stewart MP

Spokesperson for Health
3 FEBRUARY 2016

Further Cuts to Health Bad News for Kiwis

Expected cuts to funding for four DHBs is worrying and will have serious consequences for frontline health services, says New Zealand First.

Nelson Marlborough, Auckland, Taranaki and Wairarapa DHBs are facing funding cuts as the Ministry of Health reviews the funding formula.

“The government should reject this population-based funding formula that clearly isn’t working for our communities and fund services to the current need,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“Kiwis are being let down by our health services every day as DHBs struggle to cope with an increase in demand, exacerbated by record migration or 64,000 people a year, and a reduction in funding.

“Many people are desperate as they cannot get the surgery they need.

“This will only get worse if funding to the four DHB’s is cut.

“When will the government realise that their penny pinching is having a serious effect on the health of New Zealanders and in the long term will increase the demand on health services?” says Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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