Health Minister Must Stop Making Hollow Promises

New Zealand First has called on the Health Minister to stop using Health Boards as an excuse for inaction and to honour her Government’s commitment to fixing our failing mental health system. The fact that none of the three District Health Boards in Auckland have beds available for new mothers suffering from mental illness is disgraceful.

“For four years the Government has been promising to inject more money into the mental health system to ensure that all New Zealanders will have access to good care,” said women’s affairs spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“When an Auckland woman has to be flown to Christchurch with her baby because there is no care available for her in her own city we know the system is failing. This is outrageous and adds to the stress facing women if they have to endure being in an unfamiliar environment away from family.

“Promising five beds for inpatient care by next July is just not good enough and the Health Minister needs to stop making hollow promises and confront this issue now by immediately providing the necessary resources,” said Mrs Stewart.

© Scoop Media