Hon Tony Ryall National Party Health Spokesman

28 November 2006

Hospital system descends into chaos

The hospital system is descending into utter chaos and Health Minister Pete Hodgson is doing nothing about it, says National's Health spokesman, Tony Ryall.

Failed mediation has cleared the way for a laboratory workers' strike, due to begin tomorrow.

"The industrial relations scene has become a nightmare, with staff no longer trusting the DHB negotiators.

"It's time the Health Minister called in a credible negotiator to sort this mess out.

"What's clear from other strikes this year is that this 7-day strike is not going to be the last, and even more patient disruption is likely.

"The disruption will be devastating at hospitals all around the country, which are today phoning patients and cancelling all elective surgery.

"This is a two-way street, and the union needs to know that cancelling over 2,000 operations and letting patients suffer at home is not a good way to win public support for a pay claim," says Mr Ryall.

ENDS

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