Minister Cunliffe Finally Signs Up To ACT Policy

ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Health Spokesman Heather Roy today congratulated Health Minister David Cunliffe for heeding ACT policy with his call for a greater collaboration between public and private health providers.

"It appears the Minister has finally seen the light that ACT has been shining for years - we would have welcomed his support long ago, but better late than never," Mrs Roy said.

"While it would have been more promising to have had Mr Cunliffe shouting his call from the rooftops - rather than in a small article buried on page seven of a single newspaper - such a move, to break down the barrier between public and private health services is a step forward in the provision of quality care for New Zealanders.

"We look forward to the Minister taking positive action to foster this collaboration. I challenge him to now instruct District Health Boards to provide their patients with the best possible care in the best time at the best cost - rather than the current instruction to do everything 'in house'," Mrs Roy said.