The Government’s cuts to the health system are making it harder for people to get the care they need.

“Kiwis’ access to healthcare is getting worse under National. In recent weeks we’ve seen a number of areas where getting treatment is harder or more expensive for New Zealanders,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.

“Today’s report on cardiac care shows that half of New Zealanders suffering a heart attack will not be able to get the care they need in under an hour. Some hospitals don’t have the beds, doctors or facilities needed to treat heart attacks and the Government has no plan to address this.

“Women in the lower North Island have to travel to Christchurch to get surgery for gynaecological cancers like cervical cancer because there’s no specialist in their region. The Government is even considering sending them to Australia because there’s no care here.

“Whakatane’s gynaecology department has cut services, and GP visits are now getting near $100 a pop.

“The Government is more concerned with cutting costs than saving lives. They are overseeing the Americanisation of our health system,” Ayesha Verrall said.