Space cadets propose Starship name change

The National Party is questioning the priorities of Auckland Health officials contemplating a name change for New Zealand's best-known children's hospital, Starship in Auckland.

"You'd think Wayne Brown, chairman of the Auckland District Health Board, would have more important issues to grapple with," according to National MP Dr Paul Hutchison.

"If it's not broken why fix it," adds National Party Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott.

"The health board should be concentrating on how to reduce its huge deficit, or how to improve services rather than meddling with Starship's well respected name, " she says.

"It would be an absurd move to change the name to 'Auckland City Hospital Children's Services' given that it sees patients from throughout the country.

"It's clear these bureaucrats don't understand children if they think our young would prefer to go to the Auckland City Hospital rather than Starship," says Dr Scott.

"How a name change can fix the fundamental problems within our health system is beyond me," says Dr Hutchison.

"Wayne Brown's right when he says more resources need to be put into child preventive health and he may want to focus on Starship's efficiency, but how does changing its name change that?" he asks. Dr Hutchison says he's been fielding numerous calls from constituents over the proposal.

"There's overwhelming support for Starship to retain its name, it's seen as positive and child friendly and we hope common-sense will prevail," Dr Hutchison says.

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