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Hospice is not a ‘pressure group’
Tony Ryall MP
National Party Health Spokesman
3 October 2008
Hospice is not a ‘pressure group’
National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall is appalled that the Labour Government has described hospices nationwide as a ‘health pressure group’.
"This shows how arrogant and out-of-touch Labour has become. Minister Damien O'Connor should be ashamed of his political response. It is a disgraceful attack on a sector which looks after so many vulnerable Kiwis.”
Mr Ryall says yesterday National announced a boost of $15 million a year in public funding for hospices.
In its calculated response, Labour claimed: ‘You do not just give money to health pressure groups because they demand it in an election campaign’.
“Where has Labour been for the past nine years? They promised more funding for hospice in 2005 and never delivered.
"Mr O'Connor needs to know that hospice is not a health pressure group.
“Hospice is a vital community service that helps New Zealanders - young and old - at their most vulnerable.
“Teams of professionals and volunteers do their utmost to support these people and their families. You owe them an apology, Mr O'Connor. You should be ashamed that you put your name to that statement.”
ENDS
To view
National’s policy on hospice care visit: http://national.org.nz/files/2008/hospice_care_policy.pdf
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