Paul Hutchison MP
National Party Disability Issues Spokesman

4 January 2008

Disabled suffer from shocking ministry mismanagement

Health Minister David Cunliffe must demonstrate he is ‘in charge’ now, and allay the fears of disabled people and their families who have suddenly had their funding frozen, says National’s Disability Issues spokesman, Paul Hutchison.

Dr Hutchison is commenting on reports today that the Health Ministry has frozen funding for providers caring for 7,000 people with mental and physical disabilities after a multimillion-dollar residential cost blowout.

“Labour crows about the fact that it has poured billions of dollars into the health system at a time when families like David and Rhonda Heather find out about the funding freeze through the media.

“This Government has spent far too much on bureaucracy and management – money which should be going to those in need.

“While the Ministry is talking about a ‘transparent pricing model’ that reflects the true cost of caring, it is shocking to find that it has not helped New Zealand’s 7,000 disabled people whatsoever.

“David Cunliffe needs to step in and allay the concerns of these families who through no fault of their own, have been treated shoddily by his Ministry.

“This latest fiasco in the health sector follows Labour’s long legacy of mismanagement in health and disability.”

ENDS

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