Kia ora John,

New Zealanders need a strong public health system that they can rely on when they're sick or need help. This means hospitals are staffed properly, our healthcare workers are looked after, and patients receive care as quickly as possible.

Instead of working to achieve this, National is choosing to take our health system backwards.

The National Government has not allocated enough health funding to keep up with growing costs. This is why the cost of doctors’ visits are rising, with some people paying more than $70.

Reckless cuts and funding decisions are putting pressure on all parts of our health system, including staffing, which means there is less time available for each patient. With winter illnesses peaking, the timing couldn’t be worse.

The Government has put in place a hiring freeze, which is shrinking the workforce. Jobs are being left vacant for months at a time. Workers are desperate as people are leaving specialised roles, but no one is being hired to replace them. The hiring process is so slow that it’s being reported as having “ground to a halt”. Workers have said some jobs just vanish from Te Whatu Ora/Health NZ’s website.

Shane Reti has denied there is an issue. Te Whatu Ora/Health New Zealand say it’s a hiring “pause”. They’re not answering direct questions about the staffing shortages being faced around the country. Our healthcare workers and patients deserve better from the Government.

Meanwhile, planned and much-needed hospital builds and upgrades have been quietly scaled back, with ongoing funding unsecured and uncertain.

It’s clear that the National Government hasn’t funded the health system properly in the latest Budget. They need to fix this reckless mistake, before all progress is lost.

Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall MP
Labour Spokesperson for Health
Labour.org.nz