Labour’s health promises have no sign of delivery

Despite all the rhetoric, there’s no indication that the Government is planning to make any changes to the health system, National Party Health Spokesperson Dr Jonathan Coleman says.

“The Health Minister David Clark clearly has no idea what he is doing, and certainly no concrete plans at all - nothing new is being rolled out,” Dr Coleman says.

“Despite Dr Clark’s extensive criticism before the election, DHBs have received no new instructions from him since the new Government was formed. He hasn’t made any attempt to change anything - it’s just business as usual.

“DHBs haven’t even received a funding signal which they would traditionally have been sent by the Minister by now so that they can start planning for the next financial year.

“Labour went on and on about funding before the election, but four months in, despite a mini-budget, they haven’t committed an extra cent or made any meaningful changes.

“The problem is that they now realise that they hugely over promised and raised expectations to such a level that they now need an extra $200 million dollars. As a result, they are looking to delay action and stop programmes.

“That’s why there’s no real action on mental health from Dr Clark - the Government inquiry is just him stalling for time. That’s why the bowel screening programme is delayed. It’s also why the Government is talking down expectations on nurses pay, pay equity for health workers and a host of other promises they’ve made.

“It’s clear that the Minister doesn’t know what to do with his portfolio, has no plans and little money. He’s out of his depth.”

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