Kia ora John, 

Each day that the National Government fails to properly invest in our health system, they’re choosing to risk the wellbeing of our whānau and those we love. Our communities just want to know that if they’re unwell or need to visit a hospital, they’ll be looked after.

With healthcare workers stretched, wait times up and hospital builds being downgraded, it’s clear National hasn’t provided enough funding for safe staffing and infrastructure. Some hospitals have even had to operate without doctors.

Rather than admitting this, National has chosen to cook up a confusing story and blamed others, to justify cutting over a billion dollars from health services. 

It’s time for National to stop the spin and open the books, so the public can understand exactly what’s going on.

Let's focus on the real concerns that aren’t being addressed:

• Health workers are desperate for Shane Reti to let them fill vacancies. Cost cutting means that some doctors are having to make beds and clean, leaving less time for patients.

• Doctors are calling on National to properly fund GP visits, so that people can afford appointments.

• Much-needed hospital builds are being downgraded and facing funding uncertainty.

• People have been left unable to pay the prescription charges for medicines that National have brought back, resulting in more people with preventable conditions ending up in emergency care.

• Shane Reti promised that nursing students would be offered graduate roles, but dozens have just had their job offers retracted, joining hundreds of others facing uncertainty.

Pressure on our health system is increasing from every direction, yet the National Government is choosing to prioritise tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies over investing in healthcare for everyone.

In Government, Labour boosted the health workforce and made care more accessible by increasing pay for nurses, making doctors' visits free for children under 14, and removing $5 prescription charges.

It’s time for the Government to front up, be transparent and fund the health system properly, so that everyone can access care and advice when they need it.

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