Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Dyson Ruth: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:665;Page:12663] 
6. 
Hon RUTH DYSON (Labour—Port Hills) 
 to the  
Minister of Health 
: Is he comfortable with the numerous announcements of health cuts in the last 20 months? 
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) 
: 
 Contrary to the member’s assertion the health budget in the last 20 months has in fact increased by over $1.3 billion. There always have been and always will be changes to services reflecting changing needs and this Government is improving front-line services despite coming out of the worst economic recession since the 1930s. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: When he told  
New Zealand Doctor 
 that cuts to community group funding pale in significance compared with more people getting elective surgery what message was he sending to the 1500 people with mental health and addiction issues who receive support from Aspire a Wellington-based community group that has had its funding reduced by 10 percent this year? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I say to those people that this Government is investing an extra $174 million in mental health over the next 4 years. Significant gains are being made in improving mental health services for New Zealanders. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: What response has he given to the Hutt Valley judge who went public with his concerns about an offender who has been waiting for 8 months for an urgently needed bed in a mental health facility? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: I do not have with me the details of that specific case but I can say that we have put another $174 million into mental health services. More people are getting mental health services than they ever did under that failed party opposite. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: How will the Capital and Coast District Health Board be able to better support people with mental health issues in the community or in a mental health facility given its confirmation in writing to me that its mental health budget in the coming year will be almost $5 million less than in the previous year? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: The Capital and Coast District Health Board’s district annual plan has not been approved by the Government so whatever it is telling that member is not consistent with the facts as the Minister considers them. 
Nicky Wagner 
: Tena koe e ta Mana Whakawa. What reports has he received recently on improving front-line services? 
Hon TONY RYALL 
: Besides receiving reports of considerable improvement in mental health services around New Zealand I can advise that there were a number of significant improvements over the last 20 months such as a record rise of nearly 13000 in the number of patients receiving elective surgery in the 2009 year much shorter waiting-times for cancer radiation treatment many more 2-year-olds fully immunised and significant investment in the major public health programme to insulate New Zealand homes. 
Hon Ruth Dyson 
: I seek leave to table a letter dated 15 July from Capital and Coast District Health Board outlining the nearly $5 million reduction in its mental health spend for the coming year. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Leave is sought to table that document. Is there any objection? There is no objection. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.