Collins' Comments 5 June 2015

Hello everyone,

Increased funding for Health

I am sure you will be as heartened as I am by the news of the extra spending on Health in this year’s Budget. One of the things that affects most of us at some time are Emergency Department waits for medical or accident treatment when doctors’ surgeries and Accident and Emergency clinics are closed. It is reassuring to know that in Counties Manukau 96 per cent of patients receive assessment, treatment and discharge or transfer within six hours and this exceeds the Better Public Services target. This is due to the exemplary work of hospital staff whose numbers, across New Zealand, have increased by 5,500 since 2008.

The Budget provides healthcare spending of a record $15.9 billion of which $1.7 billion will be invested over four years in meeting cost pressures and population growth relating to elective surgery, cancer screening and palliative care.

On-line Health Services using ‘patient portals’ are another way the Government is making it easier for you to get the information you need. Using the system, patients can access their own medical records, book appointments and request repeat prescriptions, saving time and reducing the frustration of being put ‘on hold’. More information about ‘patient portals’ can be found on www.patientportals.co.nz.

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Key transport spending

Transport remains a big budget item for the Government and this year it is providing $249 million for key transport projects over the next four years. In the next year, $4.7 billion will be spent on improving the reliability of all aspects of road infrastructure, the safety of all road users, and resilience of roads after a disaster. In addition, five regional highways will share $97 million for upgrades and maintenance. In Papakura, we are looking forward to the Southern Corridor improvements with work on track to begin in the next few months.

For SuperGold card holders the off peak public transport scheme will receive an extra $10.2 million of operating funding. Great news for our community.

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Continuing economic growth benefits families

It is fantastic to see that, financially, that Kiwi families are making progress as our economy continues to grow, by over 3 percent last year, compared to other economies in the world. Average wages have increased by 15 per cent while inflation remains at a low of 0.8 per cent.

Today, over 217,000 more people are in employment than five years ago, and our low unemployment rate is forecast to continue to fall. It is expected to be down to just 4.5 percent by 2018 according to the latest Treasury forecasts.

It is marvellous to see the real effort that individual Kiwis are making to support themselves and their families and the success that they are making of it.

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Fire Services Review

I am a great supporter of our Public Service sector and its dedicated men and women who work to keep us safe, healthy and supported in times of trouble, disaster and need. High on my list are the volunteers, rural staff and paid staff of the Fire Service who provide outstanding responses to all types of emergencies from fires and flooding to road crashes and rescues. We need to support these people, especially the volunteers, and we need to help them meet the needs of the communities they serve as efficiently and effectively as possible.

The Fire Services Review Discussion Document, released on 27 May 2015, proposes to improve support for our Fire Service and our firefighters. Government officials and the Fire Service have consulted more than 20 key organisations, and found an appetite for change. Three key challenges have been identified that place our fire services under increasing pressure: changing expectations, a lack of coordination and variable leadership, and inconsistent investment decisions.

These challenges mean there are health and safety issues for rural fire fighters, shortages of volunteers in some areas, unclear lines of responsibility between fire services and other agencies, and inefficiencies.

The Discussion Document outlines three options the Government wants feedback on over the next six weeks. Submissions from all stakeholders including the Public on the structure and funding of the fire service for the future are needed.

I am urging all those with an interest in this area to read the discussion document and make a submission before 10 July 2015.

The discussion document and submission form is available athttp://www.dia.govt.nz/Fire-Services-Review.

Reforming our health and safety laws

Another important review is occurring on the Health and Safety Reform Bill and I would be interested in any suggestions or comments you might have as this will impact on all businesses in New Zealand. The Minister wants to improve our country’s safety record without unduly burdening those who will be responsible under the new Act when it is finally passed. Contact me with your thoughts at office@judithcollins.co.nz or PO Box 72646, Papakura 2244.

Best wishes to you all,

ends

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