Labour Health spokesperson David Clark promises the party will restore health funding and address the $1.7 billion gap in the health budget.
The Dunedin North MP says New Zealand's district health boards are in a 'financial hole” with 12 of the 20 boards currently in deficit, which has risen from eight in 2014.
'Back in October they were forecasting that nationally DHBs deficits were going to be $55.4 million for the year, now the deficit is up to $70.2 million. Last year's deficit was $54 million.
'It's obvious that the $1.7 billion funding gap in the health budget is having a massive impact.”
He's taken a swing at the Government, saying it appears determined to run the country's health system 'into the ground” and demanding DHBs make high amounts of efficiency savings that are no longer sustainable.
On the ground, David says Waikato DHB cannot make savings by lowering the levels of nurses due to hospital demand, and in the Wairarapa, they are struggling with the additional costs due to a spike in demand for mental health beds over the past few months.
'We know in Canterbury that they are receiving more adult inpatients than there are beds in their inpatient unit, and that District Health Boards are spending more on their mental health services than what they are funded for.
'Labour will restore health funding and address the $1.7 billion gap as a first step to fixing the sector.”
4 comments
here we go again
Posted on 25-03-2017 14:20 | By old trucker
My thoughts only on this,IF THEY DID NOT give so much to that other lot we would have plenty to go around, every ELECTION year they will come up with something to make you vote for it and not even CARE,we have all paid our dues over the years and DESERVE something at the end BUT NO,all the BIG WIGS on $100s of thousands a year,are only lining their pockets and this is where((I FEEL) this is all going to as well,No1 Sunlive for News in the Bay,Thankyou 10-4 out.
The Problem
Posted on 25-03-2017 16:11 | By Merlin
The problem with the health system is the cut off point for elective surgery due to the District health Boards funding which restricts the amount of surgery able to be undertaken.Many who should be getting surgery are not because of inadequate funding.I fell short of that by 5 points and was in extreme pain but after a visit to my MP had surgery 6 weeks later.Should not have to do this if funding covered all in desperate need of surgery.
Wow...these guys are seriously delusional......
Posted on 25-03-2017 19:07 | By groutby
Mr Clark....how?...you do not, nor will not know how to fix this "perceived" issue in the first place, even IF it were something to actually fix?...the Labour party (and hangers on hoping for glory) ...we have been trucking along for awhile now being at least, well, reasonably happy with the state of the DHB 's (generally, we can always do better) so why would you think you (Labour/Greens and whoever alliance) do bettter...give figures and numbers please. You won't tho will you, because you you know their aren't any...even those who may have recognised your name before............maybe..
Up there with the best
Posted on 26-03-2017 07:25 | By Papamoaner
I don't know how our hospitals manage to continue to do a fantastic job when they are continuously underfunded, just like the police. Doctors and nurses are essentially being ripped off in terms of overwork and stress. I agree with old trucker about the big wigs. The salaries and benefits dished out to CEO's is obscene and disgusting. Nobody NEEDS that much money. They are selfish pigs at the trough. Why do we put up with it?
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