5. TARIANA TURIA (Co-Leader—Māori Party) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What commitment does the Government have to retaining secondary health services in Whanganui?
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Health) Link to this
This Government’s commitment to health services in Whanganui is greater than any Government’s in recent memory.
Is the Minister aware of the current crisis in Whanganui around the shortage of specialist obstetricians and paediatricians, and what direction will he give to the district health board, which has not expressed a commitment to continue to provide 24-hour specialist cover to the people of Whanganui?
I am aware that a paediatrician has recently left, another paediatrician is on holiday, that an obstetrician is soon due to retire, and that these and other issues are currently challenging the Whanganui District Health Board—none of which alters this Government’s commitments to secondary services in Wanganui, which remain absolutely firm. I might say to the member that as we speak there is comprehensive paediatric coverage in Wanganui.
Jill PettisHow does the Labour-led Government’s commitment to maintaining secondary services in Wanganui compare with previous commitments?
It compares very well. In June of this year I announced that $30 million would be put aside for a redevelopment of Wanganui Hospital, which is just the latest sign of our commitment to the health of people in the region. Members should compare this with the policy of the National Government, which planned major cuts to services, sending 3,500 people to the streets in protest. This Labour-led Government is proud of its record in Wanganui.
Madam SPEAKERIs the Minister aware that Whanganui’s ambulance service is also in crisis, and as a consequence ambulances often have to travel from Palmerston North to Whanganui and back to Palmerston North, resulting in a delay of up to 2 or more hours to complete the transfer; and what advice can he give to the community of Whanganui to restore confidence in the district health board and our health services?
I stand by my comment that today there are comprehensive paediatric services in Wanganui. As to the inter-hospital transfers with ambulances, I say that that is why we have them.
Chester BorrowsDoes he agree with the comments from the Labour list MP resident in Wanganui who was reported in the Wanganui Chronicle as saying that the Whanganui District Health Board is “no worse off than many others”, and Wanganui people should not beat themselves up over this issue; or does he think that the situation at the Whanganui District Health Board is as good as it gets and all the other district health boards are in a worse state?
I do disagree with my colleague Jill Pettis when she said that Wanganui is no worse off. Wanganui is actually better off because it has the prospect of a $30 million new hospital development, something that could not have been contemplated under National because it was intent on giving the funding away in tax cuts to its rich mates.
What consideration has been given to the economic impact on Whanganui if the staffing crisis is not addressed urgently, given that we have already been told by real estate agents that people with young families are no longer considering Whanganui as a place to live because of the risks of not being able to access paediatric and obstetric services?
I acknowledged earlier in an answer that there are issues in Wanganui regarding both paediatrics and obstetrics, and that right now there is a comprehensive paediatric service. I wish the board well as it seeks to replace paediatric services and, indeed, in time, to strengthen obstetric services. I have no doubt that over time it will succeed.