6 May 2013

National’s ambulance at the bottom of the cliff approach not working

The National Government’s rheumatic fever funding announcement is just a Band-Aid on another problem that it is avoiding tackling, the Green Party says.

The Government today announced more funding for rheumatic fever and for a home referral service.

“It is good to see more money directed at rheumatic fever but research shows more children are showing up at hospital with conditions that should not have got to that serious point,” Green Party Co-leader Metiria Tūrei said.

“A key reason children are getting sick is because they are living in cold damp houses. National will pay for people to get advice about how to seal off drafts but won’t act to make sure people have decent accommodation to live in.

“Under the Greens’ Home for Life scheme, rental homes would need a warrant of fitness that guarantees the house is insulated and weather-tight, and has heating before it can be rented out.

“Better public health services to prevent illness also need to be a higher priority. Ignoring the basic reasons why children in New Zealand get so sick and then funding measures to treat the problem at the other end is defeatist.

“Far more needs to be done, and urgently, especially for Māori and Pacific kids in deprived areas.

“New Zealand’s health bill is just going to grow under this National Government which buries its head in the sand about the causes of problems and just tries to sweep up the pieces.

“A Government the Green Party is part of will tackle the health issues at their core addressing both housing and poverty issues for New Zealand kids,” Mrs Tūrei said.

ENDS

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