Children at Starship hospital are waiting longer for treatment because of National’s refusal to hire the nurses our hospitals need.

“Today’s news that children’s cancer treatments have been delayed shows just how severe the crisis in our hospitals has become,” Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

“For two years, the Government has denied there’s a hiring freeze at Health NZ while nurses reported severe staffing shortages.

“These are children fighting cancer. For them and their families, every delay matters. Doctors and nurses know it, parents know it, and National should know it too.

“I really feel for these children and their parents, who are already going through one of the hardest times of their lives. Nurses and doctors are doing their best to keep going in these circumstances.

“This didn’t come out of nowhere. National promised their cuts wouldn’t affect the frontline but their promise has been well and truly broken. They should be ashamed of this situation.

“National has always been more focussed on cuts than the people who are affected by them. They’re out of touch, and here’s evidence their choices are hurting people.

“What a shameful situation, that our youngest can’t get lifesaving care and staff are being told to keep it a secret. New Zealanders deserve to know what’s happening in their hospitals. 

“While kids wait for cancer treatment, National is busy focusing on car parks and school leaving dates. That says everything about their priorities.

“National is cutting training for nurses, Labour will not.

“Labour will end the hiring freeze and guarantee every eligible New Zealand-trained graduate nurse a job in our health system,” Ayesha Verrall said.