Hon David Cunliffe
Minister of Health

7 April 2008 Media Statement

Ryall’s claims ridiculous

National’s desperation at having no health policy is starting to show, Minister of Health David Cunliffe said.

“Mr Ryall’s claims that Labour has stolen its health ideas are laughable,” Mr Cunliffe said.

“National has claimed the Government has stolen ideas from its health discussion document – this would be the document famous for leaving out plans that would allow GP fees to skyrocket.”

Mr Cunliffe said after nearly nine years in opposition the National Party had struggled to come out with any health policy and were now reduced to claiming other peoples ideas as their own.

Even leaving aside the number of medical professionals that have been contributing to 21 District Health Boards around the country, New Zealand has clinical networks in mental health, cancer control and elective services where doctors, nurses and managers work closely together and with non-government organisations and their communities.

The Quality Improvement Committee which includes clinicians and managers and is designed specifically to provide input on New Zealand’s health service.

Mr Cunliffe said involving clinicians in hospital decision making is common sense – something National cannot claim a monopoly on.

“Before claiming ideas as their own you would think National would actually check what was already being done and release some real policy.”

“So far from National we have a discussion document that is hard to take seriously because it fails to mention key issues like raising GP fees and fails to provide concrete details on how they would deliver health services.”

“So come on Mr Ryall lets see some policy – or are you too busy putting out the same old tired press releases time again to concentrate on anything of substance?”

ENDS

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