Yet another set of recommendations
"Another report, another set of recommendations," says National's Health spokesman, Tony Ryall.
He is commenting on the report of the Health Workforce Taskforce released today.
"This is the 43rd report that the Labour Government has commissioned on the health workforce crisis since 2000. Every one of those reports has been greeted with a flurry of inaction.
"This latest Taskforce's recommendation to set up a Medical Training Board reflects the widespread frustration at Labour's complete inaction on the health workforce crisis."
The report's authors even ask: 'The question that must be addressed is why, given the consistency of expert advice, there have been no effective changes?'
"Let's be clear here. What the government has agreed to, is setting up a committee to do what they themselves should have been doing years ago.
"As National has said for some time the Government should be immediately lifting doctor training numbers to a self-sufficiency level, include stronger rural components in doctor training, and cut taxes to retain and reward our health workforce.
"Most importantly, New Zealand needs a government that will trust and empower our doctors and nurses. These are professional people who should be trusted and involved. "
"We are not convinced that cutting a year off doctor training will make that much difference. It's a one-off increase. There are other, more effective ways to recruit and retain doctors.
"Mr Hodgson says setting up a Training Board as a way to 'provide the leadership and direction in this area that has been lacking'.
"Actually, he is the Minister and it's his inaction that is causing most of the problems. It's time for new leadership in Health."
He is commenting on the report of the Health Workforce Taskforce released today.
"This is the 43rd report that the Labour Government has commissioned on the health workforce crisis since 2000. Every one of those reports has been greeted with a flurry of inaction.
"This latest Taskforce's recommendation to set up a Medical Training Board reflects the widespread frustration at Labour's complete inaction on the health workforce crisis."
The report's authors even ask: 'The question that must be addressed is why, given the consistency of expert advice, there have been no effective changes?'
"Let's be clear here. What the government has agreed to, is setting up a committee to do what they themselves should have been doing years ago.
"As National has said for some time the Government should be immediately lifting doctor training numbers to a self-sufficiency level, include stronger rural components in doctor training, and cut taxes to retain and reward our health workforce.
"Most importantly, New Zealand needs a government that will trust and empower our doctors and nurses. These are professional people who should be trusted and involved. "
"We are not convinced that cutting a year off doctor training will make that much difference. It's a one-off increase. There are other, more effective ways to recruit and retain doctors.
"Mr Hodgson says setting up a Training Board as a way to 'provide the leadership and direction in this area that has been lacking'.
"Actually, he is the Minister and it's his inaction that is causing most of the problems. It's time for new leadership in Health."