Heart surgery review urgently needed

Heather Roy
Wednesday, 20 July 2005
Press Releases - Health

“Ministry of Health statistics show that a worrying 150 Cardiothoracic and seven Cardiology patients assessed as needing surgery have been waiting over 12 months ‘ says ACT Health Spokesman Heather Roy.

‘This reinforces the need for an urgent review of the delays elective heart patients are facing around the country.

"It is only going to get worse as the Ministry of Health’s latest statistics also show there are 1,462 Cardiology patients waiting over six months for their First Specialist Assessment.

“They come on top of the 761 Cardiology and Cardiothoracic patients assessed as needing surgery who are parked in Active Review, the waiting list for the waiting list.

“What is most disgraceful is at the same time as this is happening, Annette King is repeatedly declaring that waiting lists are reducing and that more operations are being done. But the facts show she is wrong, and heart patients are seriously worried.

“It is part of a disgraceful waiting list failure by Labour. Labour has thrown an extra $3.5 billion into health, but has totally failed to reduce waiting lists. The number of patients on First Specialist Assessment and surgical waiting lists has risen from 180,200 when Labour was elected to 180,600 in April 2005.

“Labour has spent the money on bureaucracy.

“While it would be an embarrassment to the Government to agree to an urgent review, the issue is serious and Annette King should either agree to the review or explain why she will not,” Mrs Roy said.

ENDS

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