Frontline services cut as well as jobs
Cut backs at the Ministry of Health have not resulted in resources being moved to the frontline. The opposite will be the case, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.
"The decision to make up to 130 people from the Ministry of Health redundant is a done deal and will not result in better services for New Zealanders," Ruth Dyson said.
"Labour supports increasing efficiency, but there is nothing efficient about cutting back staff to then hire consultants and reduce frontline services," Ruth Dyson said.
"Cut backs at the Ministry of Health will result in reductions for the National Cancer Screening Unit, public health services and swine flu planning and delivery of services.
"New Zealanders need good quality public services to ensure patients get the services they need.
"While Tony Ryall is busy bragging about cutting jobs at the Ministry he seems to have forgotten that he has planned for 800 jobs at the National Health Board.
"The National Health Board is little more than Tony Ryall’s own personal fiefdom with Government hack, Health Tsar Murray Horn, in charge.
"While the Minister has been busy building his Wellington fiefdom, almost every DHB in the country has been cutting services to patients and communities," Ruth Dyson said.
