Media statement
Embargoed to 9am
Sunday, 16 September 2007

Dunne encouraged by healthcare survey

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne is greatly encouraged by a healthcare survey released this morning which shows more and more New Zealanders are keen to have their health needs met by the private sector as well as the public health service.

The survey, carried out by the Business Council for Sustainable Development, surveyed 747 New Zealanders nationwide.

"The results back up UnitedFuture's long-term commitment to getting greater involvement by the private sector in the health system and demonstrate why we put that aim in our confidence and supply agreement with Labour," said Mr Dunne.

The survey says 64% of respondents think district health boards or the Government should buy health services from private health providers, while 51% say public hospitals and private health service providers should be able to compete for additional Government money to provide hospital services, like operations.

Forty-five percent of respondents think it would be better to make greater use of private hospitals, compared with 29% who say more money should be poured into public hospitals and 21% who think people should be encouraged to take out private health insurance.

"Forcing New Zealanders to suffer pain for unnecessarily long periods in support of some rigid ideology is not only bizarre, it's cruel and stupid," said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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