Media Statement
Thursday, 27 May 2010

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne rejects Kenepuru emergency department closure call

Ohariu MP Peter Dunne is rejecting suggestions Kenepuru Hospital’s overnight emergency services should be cut to help the Capital Coast DHB overcome a $60 million deficit.

“Local people have fought for years to keep and expand emergency services at Kenepuru Hospital, and will strongly resist any efforts to reduce services now,” Mr Dunne said.

Compass PHO chief executive Cathy O'Malley has called for the closure of Kenepuru's ermergency service overnight from 11pm to 8am.

“This issue has been around since the 1980s, and successive governments have been pressured over the provision of emergency services at Kenepuru.

“As one who has taken up the cudgels on many occasions since then to keep Kenepuru’s emergency department operating, I am not about to give up the fight now,” he said.

Mr Dunne called on the DHB to look at ways of reducing its deficit that do not compromise the provision of front-line services.

“These could include the Capital Coast and Hutt Valley DHBs looking at some sharing of back-office facilities and functions to cut overall administrative costs, and stop duplication,” he said.

Ends

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