Stop cutting Public Health Services

The restructuring of the Auckland Regional Public Health Service will mean increased costs and decreased health outcomes the Green Party said today.

"Auckland DHB is being forced to cut the funding and staffing of their public health service because of a short sighted policy by Minister of Health Tony Ryall," said Green Party Health Spokesperson Kevin Hague.

"Public health is the most effective way to ensure New Zealanders are living healthy and productive lives.
"Auckland DHB's approach is short sighted because of the blinkers Mr Ryall has slapped on them.
"The trade-off for short term dollar savings is long term public health costs.
"This is a worrying development because if one DHB starts making cuts to public health, others will follow. Mr Ryall is whipping DHBs to make cuts and will run the public health service into the ground.

"This is just a further cut in what has become an extensive list of public health services since Mr Ryall became Minister.

"The consensus among New Zealand health professionals is that investment in public health services should be the focus of our health system," said Mr Hague.

Gareth Morgan's recent book, Health Cheque, puts forward the argument that because we cannot throw limitless amounts of money at the health system, the wisest return comes from investing in public health.

"The actual costs of continual cuts to public health services cannot be seen until it is too late. Till more people are sick. Till more people are awaiting surgery. Public health services promote prevention - not cure, which is where Mr Ryall is putting the emphasis.

"There is a disconnect between the Minister and what should be considered best practice for New Zealand.
"By ignoring what health experts are saying Minister Ryall is ensuring long term health costs, a widening health inequality gap and is damning our grandchildren to a sicker New Zealand,” said Mr Hague.

Some of the Public Health Services which have been cut since Tony Ryall became Health Minister in November 2008
Healthy Eating Healthy Action Fund
School-based Health Services Fund
Cardiovascular Disease National Contracted Services Fund
Oral Health Fund
Pacific Youth Fund
Primary Health Care Strategy Diabetes Get Checked Fund
Healthy Environments Fund
Non-devolved Mental Health and Addiction Services Fund
The Minister's Innovation Fund
Tobacco Control Fund
Primary Health Care Strategy Means Health Fund
Hep C Service Improvements Fund
Immunisation - Free Vaccines for Specific Communicable Diseases - Fund
Alcohol and Other Drug Interface with the Justice Sector Fund
Quality and Innovation Fund
Cancer Control Fund
Primary Health Care Strategy Diabetes (Obesity) Programme