26 March 2009 Media Statement

Keeping Kiwis well low priority for National

The Minister of Health’s refusal to answer questions in Parliament about priorities in primary health care shows how little importance the National Government is placing on keeping Kiwis well, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson say.

“Tony Ryall recently wrote to DHBs about his expectations for the delivery of health services; but left the most important services aimed at keeping Kiwis well - and out of hospitals - off his list of top five priorities.

“While hospital services are important it is equally important that New Zealanders can access services to keep themselves and their families well.

“It’s all very well to concentrate on elective surgery, but we should also be concentrating on reducing the number of people needing surgery by keeping them well or diagnosing and treating conditions before illnesses reach the point where surgery is required,” Ruth Dyson said.

“The Minister clearly doesn’t understand the need for a comprehensive health plan that focuses on prevention, diagnoses and treatment. So far he has only set one of those three vital components in health as a priority.

“If his priorities continue in this fashion we can expect to see more Kiwis lining up at hospitals for treatment for illnesses that could have been easily avoided.

“We know that many cancers, type 2 diabetes and other illnesses are related to lifestyle and the best way to beat these is to concentrate on the cause and prevention of these illnesses rather than simply making more ambulances available at the bottom of the cliff.

“Labour wants healthier New Zealanders who do not suffer from preventable illnesses. The Minister clearly has different priorities that don’t reflect any desire to keep Kiwis well,” Ruth Dyson said.

ENDS

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