The PSA is urging Health Minister Simeon Brown to work
closely with unions to ensure the health system delivers the
better patient outcomes he constantly talks
about.
Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced
a review of health workforce legislation blaming current
regulations for slowing down recruitment of health workers
and improving services.
“We agree with the
Minister on one thing – New Zealanders deserve a health
system that ensures patients get timely, quality health
care, but he’s going about it the wrong way,” said Fleur
Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service
Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga
Mahi.
“His announcement today does not
mention the role of unions and our place in the health
system.
“We know the playbook here – keep running down
the public health system to justify going down the slippery
slope of privatisation where care based on need is replaced
by ability to pay.
“Any review must ensure the public
health system is protected. Unions and health workers have a
critical role to play in making sure we have a health system
that delivers for New Zealanders. Workers know what needs to
happen to improve delivery and right now they are saying the
Government’s cuts are damaging health
services.
“This Minister is overseeing a system that
is still laying off workers and one that needs more funding,
far more than the Government is prepared to inject to
recognise our ageing population and the rising cost of
health care.
“That’s the real issue here. And the
Minister can start by reversing the planned deep cuts to the
IT team at Health NZ Te Whatu Ora which keeps critical
systems going in our hospitals.
“Our message to the
Minister is clear – work with us, fund the system properly
and stop playing politics. The stakes are too high,
patients’ lives are at
stake.”
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