Tony Ryall MP
National Party Health Spokesman

8 November 2007

Cunliffe admits he isn't really 'running the show'

National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall says Wellingtonians will draw no comfort from revelations today that it will take a year to sort out the crises affecting Wellington Hospital.

Mr Cunliffe yesterday said he expected immediate and comprehensive action to fix the problems, but the DHB has agreed to a Corrective Action Plan, much of which will take 12 months to implement.

"Health Minister David Cunliffe told Parliament yesterday that he was 'running the show', before contradicting himself and saying the DHB had to take responsibility for the crisis management that Capital Coast is now operating under.

"The problems at Wellington Hospital are urgent, yet the DHB expects to take a year to fix it. Where does that leave Wellingtonians?

"National understands Ministry officials were aware of the damning findings in August this year, at the time of an urgent meeting of the board. Mr Cunnliffe's predecessor, Pete Hodgson, appears to have done nothing about it.

"Mr Cunliffe also confirmed in Parliament today that, contrary to his gung-ho statements yesterday about putting the DHB on notice, he has not threatened to sack anyone.

"Mr Cunliffe is picking up where his predecessor left off. His silence on the damning report about managing conflicts of interest at Auckland DHB has been deafening.

"Within 72 hours of taking his front bench seat, Mr Cunliffe has been exposed as someone who talks tough, but fails to deliver when it counts."

ENDS

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