Cuts of over $100 million to choke health services

Cuts of over $100 million will choke health services

Funding shortfalls in the Health system of over $100 million will squeeze some services to the point of choking says the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi (PSA)

The CTU’s analysis of the Budget Health Vote ‘Did the Budget provide enough for Health’ identifies far-reaching funding shortfall of over $100 million and considers the impact of what is being called ‘reprioritised savings’.

“You can't put that kind of squeeze on the system without further affecting services and cutting jobs. That’s already been happening in DHBs across the country. Even under the current level of funding our members have witnessed service cuts and job losses, how much more does this government think the health system can take before parts of it simply stop?” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“Despite a worrying rise in health problems like obesity and diabetes, public health is clearly not a priority for this government. Auckland Regional Public Health services have already undergone reviews which have seen health promotion programmes cut and dietitians, nutritionists and others lose their jobs. Other public health units are now under review including Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Whanganui. With cuts of over $100 million the PSA anticipates more jobs and services will go”, says Richard Wagstaff.

“The CTU’s analysis shows that DHBs will struggle the most because of these funding shortfalls. We’ve already seen cuts in DHB-funded services like home help for the elderly in Otago and Wellington. In Timaru support workers at Healthcare NZ are being asked to reduce their hours but not their workloads. Reviews are already underway at some DHBs to help deal with their deficits; more pressure on our health boards to reduce costs will only lead to more cuts in services and more user pay charges.

“Did the Budget provide enough for Health? Absolutely not and New Zealanders across the country will bear the impact of this shortfall when jobs and services are cut”, says Richard Wagstaff.

ENDS

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