Health Cuts Hurt

MEDIA RELEASE - Friday 4 August 2006

“Health Cuts Hurt has set up a meeting on Monday 7th August to discuss how to stop the continuing cuts to waiting lists that are causing grief to countless Cantabrians,” the Chairperson of Health Cuts Hurt, Eleanor Carter said today.

She made her comments on the day that another 5,300 Cantabrians are cut from the waiting list for elective surgery. During the week the Board also said that it could not guarantee that more people waiting for surgery would not be cut given the big flu epidemic hitting Canterbury and causing gridlock in the hospitals.

“Monday’s meeting will look at ways to address the ongoing underfunding of the Canterbury District Health Board, which lies behind the cuts,” said Eleanor Carter. “The Board openly admits that Canterbury people have to be sicker now to get an operation than previously - and sicker than other New Zealanders.”

“Last week, Health Cuts Hurt called on the Christchurch Mayor and local Labour MPs to state categorically that they will fight for fair funding for the CDHB to correct the Ministry of Health’s flawed population based funding model,” said Eleanor Carter. “Our political leaders need to put their hands up and take ownership of this matter, not sit back and wash their hands of the cuts. The blood of Canterbury people is literally on their hands.”

“The meeting to discuss a response to the cuts will be at 5.30 at the TUC 199 Armagh St,” said Eleanor Carter.

Eleanor Carter, Spokesperson Health Cuts Hurt Inc