3 December 2009
Media Statement

Visits to the doctor not a luxury

Reports that more New Zealanders are putting off going to the doctor because of the cost are deeply concerning, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson says.

“During its time in Government Labour worked tirelessly to reduce the cost of healthcare to New Zealanders. Labour put in place subsidised GP visits and $3 prescriptions, removed the hospital charges introduced by National in the 1990s and protected a world class ACC system.

“Unfortunately in just over 12 months the National Government signed off on a proposal to increase GP charges by 6.5 percent, slashed elective surgery funding through ACC and cut nearly two dozen frontline health services,” Ruth Dyson said.

“If people cannot afford to see a GP then that will have significant problems for New Zealand hospitals further down the line.

“GPs can often help someone with a health issue before it becomes serious so any downturn in the number of people seeking out primary health care is troubling to say the least.

“Our Emergency Departments will see sicker and sicker people being wheeled through their doors if the Government does not prioritise access to primary health care.

“Healthcare including health programmes aimed at preventing lifestyle diseases should be affordable and accessible, if the health of New Zealanders is to improve.

“I am concerned that many of the programmes that have been cut by the Government are those intended to improve nutrition and exercise.

“The cost to individuals and the health system of the Government’s refusal to fund preventative programmes could be disastrous.

“Tony Ryall and John Key once claimed that New Zealanders didn’t have this (the cost of seeing a GP) as a top of mind issue and questioned why people should be subsidised to see doctors. They could not have been more wrong,” Ruth Dyson said

ENDS

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