Media statement
For immediate release
Monday, 25 February 2008

Dunne wants equal treatment for Wgton/Hutt patients

Elective surgery should be equally available to Wellingtonians, says United Future leader and Ohariu-Belmont MP, Peter Dunne.

Mr Dunne is responding to reports that people living within Capital and Coast DHB's reach received 20 per cent fewer elective surgical operations than their more fortunate neighbours within Hutt Valley DHB.

"I am pleased my Hutt Valley constituents have the level of access to elective surgery that they do, but there is no reason why all my constituents should not have a similar opportunity.

"Another day, another flaw with our health system is revealed. Yet again we see the impotence of current elective surgery arrangements. Access to public facilities should not be rationed by where you live.

"Waiting lists could be reduced if DHBs had greater freedom to funnel elective surgery to private hospitals. This was a feature of the 2005 Supply and Confidence Agreement between the Labour-led Government and United Future and we are working to see it happen.

"Everyone who needs it should benefit from the timely treatment of elective surgical operation. It should not be down to the arbitrary drawing-up of DBH boundary lines," said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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