Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:660;Page:8818] 
6. 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Have there been any cuts to front-line health services since he became Minister? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 The Government’s goal is that New Zealanders will have better sooner more convenient health services. As we improve the public health service over time patients will see changes in how front-line services are provided. Demand for services changes over time as populations change and providers change. There will be more of many services and occasionally there will be fewer of other services but more money will always go into the health budget and into more services overall. We have increased the health budget and front-line services are increasing. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: Is he satisfied that 86-year-old Miss Muriel Mouet of Lower Hutt who cannot change the sheets on her bed hang out her washing clean the bathroom toilets or floors or vacuum her home has had her home support hours cut in a move described by her nephew as bullying; and how does that stack up against his promise to have no front-line health services cut? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I do not have the details of that case but I can advise the member that I have been assured that no one will be unsafe or unable to stay in his or her own home as a result of this review of home support services. 
Dr Paul Hutchison 
: What reports has he seen of claimed cuts to health services and what response if any has he seen to these claims? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I have seen a number of recent claims of cuts to access to general practitioner services including one from a Ms Ruth Dyson. This wrong claim was discussed in an editorial in the influential magazine  
New Zealand Doctor 
 which stated: “Why does Labour health spokesperson Ruth Dyson act as though she has no understanding of GP fees? … I find it hard to understand why Mrs Dyson persists in spreading misinformation. Labour appears so disingenuous it must leave people wondering how strong a grip it has on … health policy. It’s all a bit fishy.” 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: What does he say to the district nurse who said publicly that she has been forced to cut hundreds of health checks for the elderly and was now seeing those same people being admitted to hospital costing the health board even more in the long run; and how does that stack up against his promise to ensure that nurses have more say? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: How it stacks up is that this Government put an extra $750 million into the health budget this year. We have produced a record number of elective surgeries we have more people getting cancer treatment and we have faster emergency departments. We are investing in the priorities that New Zealanders have. 
Iain Lees-Galloway 
: Did the Minister realise that in making his unreasonable demand on the MidCentral District Health Board to find $9 million worth of cuts those cuts would be to front-line services such as rehab for under-65s sexual health services diabetes intervention and support dialysis services to older people and 24 assessment treatment and rehabilitation beds in Horowhenua? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The member is quite right to identify that we have inherited a badly worsening situation at the MidCentral District Health Board. I have to say that this financial uncertainty is making it hard on the staff and the community despite the Government increasing the MidCentral District Health Board’s budget by $26 million last year. I must advise that member that the best way to secure the long-term future of health services in the MidCentral region is to get that district health board on to a solid financial footing. I am not prepared to let the MidCentral District Health Board limp on and put its long-term sustainability at risk. 
Iain Lees-Galloway 
: How many more front-line—[ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: I apologise to the honourable member. I just cannot hear; there is too much noise and I say that to the Government benches on this occasion. 
Iain Lees-Galloway 
: How many more front-line jobs will the MidCentral District Health Board need to cut before the Minister is satisfied that it is abiding by his demands? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: All district health boards are required to get better value for money and improve front-line services. We have given the MidCentral District Health Board another $26 million but it has been unable to reverse the decline we inherited from the previous Government. The best way that the member as the Opposition’s most effective associate spokesman on health could do something for his region is to support getting those services on to a long-term sustainable footing. Harping on about the problem will not fix it and secure the services that he and I want for his community.