Tony Ryall MP National Party Health Spokesman

5 November 2008

What about PlunketLine?

National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall says the 11th hour promise from Labour to boost funding for Plunket is too little too late.

"This is guilt money. Helen Clark promised to grow and expand the PlunketLine service, but instead she axed Government funding for it.

"The guilt has caught up to them just a few days out from our election. We've heard it all before. This will probably be one of the items that Helen Clark will cut in her December mini-Budget."

In Opposition, Helen Clark said: 'the service (Plunketline) is established and the demand for it is overwhelming. It deserves support... we see real value in Plunketline, and we want it to receive Government funding,' - Speech to Royal NZ Plunket Society's 52nd National Conference.

"In light of the opportunist announcement of additional funding for Plunket, I look forward to finding out where the money is coming from - because Labour's made so many promises, and given no clue how any of it will be paid for."

National has released a fully funded maternity care policy which includes a carefully costed plan to boost post-natal support.

National will: * Ensure every new mother and baby can have a weekly visit with their LMC or WellChild provider for the first nine weeks of their baby's life. More visits will provide greater breastfeeding support and boost confidence. * Fully fund Plunketline to provide a 24-hour service.

"National's commitments are real. Labours are more promise and hope."

ENDS

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