Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Robertson Grant: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:675;Page:20616] 
8. 
GRANT ROBERTSON (Labour—Wellington Central) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Does he stand by all the statements he has made in relation to after-hours medical services? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Within the context in which they were made yes. I also stand by my comment that tomorrow I am travelling to Nelson—or I am planning to travel to Nelson—to inspect the potential site of a new after-hours joint venture in that city. 
Grant Robertson 
: Did he say to Temuka Grey Power president Shirley Gilmer that cuts to after-hours services in Temuka “might not happen” when in fact after-hours general practitioner services in Temuka and Geraldine have ceased from today; if so why? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I did have a conversation with that lady. I cannot remember the exact words but I can say that I spoke to the district health board chief executive on Sunday about this issue. I am told that the district health board is keen to get back around the table with the general practitioners as soon as possible. There is a difference of opinion about the funding that is required for this service which is not uncommon. In fact Timaru general practitioners raised problems about after-hours funding in 2007. I can assure the member that people seeking after-hours care in Temuka and Geraldine can access a comprehensive nurse-led telephone triage service and there is still a doctor providing after-hours care in Geraldine. 
Grant Robertson 
: Is the Minister aware that there are now no after-hours general practitioner services available in Temuka and Geraldine from today? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The information I have received is that there is still a doctor providing after-hours care in Geraldine. It is being provided by one doctor who is not in with the Temuka doctors. I can assure the member that alternative arrangements in terms of the nurse-led telephone service are in place after hours. There is also a need I think for ongoing discussions between the general practitioners and the district health board. The district health board is very keen to see whether it can address the issue in relation to the money and what the expectations are. This is not uncommon in these sorts of negotiations. 
Grant Robertson 
: Can the Minister guarantee to the people of Temuka that they will have after-hours general practitioner services given that from today those services are not available? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I am not in a position to be able to guarantee that the general practitioners themselves will provide that after-hours service. Nor can that member guarantee that there will definitely be a general practitioner after-hours service. What I can guarantee is that arrangements are being put in place in order to meet the needs of those people. There is still an after-hours general practitioner available in Geraldine and the district health board is very keen to meet with the general practitioners in terms of addressing this issue. We have put quite a lot of extra money into the South Canterbury District Health Board and I am sure that it is investing it wisely.