Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

National’s Ambulance Response Limp After Years of Neglect

National’s Ambulance Response Limp After Years of Neglect

National has come out with a blister patch approach to New Zealand ambulance services, after years of letting them bleed, says New Zealand First Leader and Northland MP Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“To be blunt, National has allowed patients to suffer, perhaps die, by failing to heed the calls for more funding for St John and other services.
“Today’s announcement of 375 extra medical personnel will be welcomed only because ambulance services are desperate.

“National has cynically ignored the needs right till we are on the verge of the election.

“They have the nerve after nine years to announce a funding model that is not completed till 2021 which, on their record, by that time will be obsolete.
“Our ambulances only get 70 per cent government funding, so have to beg from the public for more.

“So much for a free ambulance service.

“They are running at losses. St John had a staggering $7m plus deficit in 2015, it has been sending out ambulances with only one crew member and has been warning the government for years that more funding is needed, as did the parliamentary select committee nine years ago.

“New Zealand First wants every ambulance to be double crewed and we want ambulance services properly funded.

“The country has had a massive population increase, we have an ageing population and we get a feeble response, only because it is election year.”

“The National Party’s theme for this election will be much too little, much too late,” says Mr Peters


ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.