Real Solutions For Cardiac Patients

ACT Deputy Leader and Health Spokesman Heather Roy today pledged that, following the election, she would support a future National Health Minister in any moves undertaken to increase co-operation between the public and private health sectors.

"That way we can ensure that our provision of cardiac surgery catches up to the rest of the world, and prevent more deaths like those outlined in yesterday's 'Report on Patients Awaiting Cardiac Surgery: Capital and Coast District Health Board' report," Mrs Roy said.

"Soon-to-be former Health Minister David Cunliffe has failed dismally in Health and has shown himself to be incapable of moving away from Labour's tired and ineffective practice of simply throwing money at a problem in the hopes that it will go away.

"This habit has seen billions of extra dollars poured into health for little or no benefit - with Mr Cunliffe yesterday announcing a further $50 million trough a reallocation within the Health budget

"The answer to preventing the looming crisis in Health is increased productivity, not just in Health but across the board. Our current economic state has seen New Zealand spend years training our health professionals for export, and then standing helplessly as they head off overseas in search of greener pastures.

"Growing the economic cake bigger would enable us to keep our medical graduates at home, bring back those who have already left, and ensure a meaningful partnership between public and private health providers. ACT will work with National to provide patients with the best quality care, at the best price, in the best time," Mrs Roy said.