Former CEO’s warning makes health cuts key issues

Former CEO’s warning makes health cuts key election issue

Care not Cuts candidate for the Capital and Coast DHB David Choat is backing outgoing chief executive Ken Whelan’s call for an end to budget cuts at the DHB, and says this will be the defining issue for the upcoming board election.

“Last week Mr Whelan told staff: ‘I cannot see where any more major efficiency can come from without negatively impacting on services.’ He has repeated those sentiments at a farewell talk this week.

“The government and the DHB board need to listen to Mr Whelan on this. It is not fair or just to cut vital services in areas like mental health and aged care to pay Tony Ryall a capital charge for the new Wellington hospital.

“I endorse Mr Whelan’s comments and call on all other Capital and Coast DHB candidates to do the same.

“Over the next three weeks people will be making their decisions on who to elect to the DHB. We need Board members who are willing to stand up for an end to cuts.

“If the Capital and Coast community elects a board of anti-cuts candidates it will send a strong message to the Government that it needs to fund our region’s health services adequately,” David Choat said.

Care not Cuts advocates for a quality public health system and is concerned about the impact of Government cuts in the health sector.

ENDS

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