Labour's plans to cut Government funding for some of the country's vital health initiatives is a dangerous and backward policy that will leave New Zealanders waiting in pain according to ACT Health Spokesman Hon Ken Shirley.

Ken Shirley today said it was 'astounding' that Labour was campaigning on a policy of cutting the very services that are getting New Zealanders off the waiting lists and restored to full health.

"Labour's pledge to refuse to buy services from private providers is simply irresponsible. These services are providing excellent care for the patients that the public system simply doesn't have the capacity to treat. It is vital that there is an ongoing and strengthened partnership across the health sector.

"New Zealanders in pain need fair access to treatment. They should not be condemned to wait because of Labour's ideology.

"After nine years in opposition Labour's only vision for health is to scrap the services that are working and turn the clock back to District Health Boards. That move alone will cost tens of millions of dollars. That money should be spent on the health services New Zealanders need, not some state bureaucracy.

Once again Labour is heading in the wrong direction," said Hon Ken Shirley.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The Government's Assault On Maori

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