11 July 2002

Jim Anderton, Leader

Progressive Coalition leader Jim Anderton today told Orewa Grey Power members that the Progressive Coalition wants 90 per cent of New Zealanders to be within 60 minutes by road of a hospital offering general specialist services.

“This can be done, and we are committing to this policy of boosting our regional hospital network if the Progressive Coalition is returned to Government.

“Kaitaia Hospital should be able to offer caesarean operations. It should not offer any treatments it that it cannot medically support. However if the solution is more staffing and funding, then the Progressive Coalition is committed to working as part of Government to resolve those shortages,” said Jim Anderton.

The Progressive Coalition has already announced that it is committed to having free doctors visits for school children and the elderly in the next term of the next Labour Progressive Coalition Government.

Ends

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