2. Hon TONY RYALL (National—Bay of Plenty) Link to this
to the Minister of Health
What reports, if any, has he received on the possible impact of the proposed week-long laboratory workers’ strike on hospital services?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN (Leader of the House) Link to this
I have received reports that the impact is expected to be—[ Interruption] Well, I have killed one off today already! On behalf of the Minister of Health, I have received reports that the impact is expected to be significant but that contingency planning by district health boards is well advanced.
Can the Minister confirm that public hospitals are now in high-level contingency planning over the laboratory workers’ strike, and that this strike will effectively shut down all elective surgery in every public hospital throughout New Zealand, and most elective surgery in private hospitals; and what action will he take to prevent what is becoming the worst industrial action in the health sector for some years?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
It is certainly true to say that a great deal of elective surgery will need to be delayed, but not necessarily all elective surgery. That will depend in part on blood and blood products requirements, and they may well take that position out of necessity. Of course, the member offers no solution. If the solution is simply to pay the union what it demands, then that is an interesting proposition; it is not the Government’s position on industrial matters.
Maryan StreetWhat progress has been made in ensuring the provision of life-preserving services during the strike?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I am advised life-preserving service provision has already been agreed and that this agreement was reached much earlier than in the three previous strikes this year. It in part perhaps reflects the fact that the same union negotiator and district health board contingency planners are involved.
Sue KedgleyDoes the Minister support the right of health workers, including laboratory workers, to strike; if not, why not?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
Yes, but clearly we hope that that right will be exercised with a great deal of thought, given the impacts upon large numbers of people.
When any activity involving a laboratory test or the New Zealand Blood Service will be badly affected by the strike, what action will the Minister take to prevent the cancellation of over 2,000 elective procedures over a week-long strike as hospitals prepare to contact unlucky patients over the next few days?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As I have just said, life-preserving services will be provided; therefore, there is not an issue in that respect. There will be delays in elective surgery. That cannot be resolved immediately unless the district health boards simply concede to the claims of the union.
Has the Minister actually worked out that we have had never-ending industrial action this year, meaning that thousands upon thousands of New Zealanders have been denied vital elective surgery; and is it not time that the Minister worked out that the consistent factor in this is a Minister of Health with an industrial relations policy that is divisive and is costing patients their operations?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
On the last point, I do not have a clue about what the member is trying to say. If he is trying to say that the Government should give in to the union, whatever its demands are, that is an interesting position for the new National Party leader to take over from Monday next week. If he is trying to say that instead of that, workers should be denied the right to strike, then let us hear that very clearly from the National Party, as well.
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I think the member has already given a number, which I have no reason to dispute at this point. He should also note, however, that the junior doctors’ settlement occurred last week. At the point when that occurred, the National Party again was calling either for direct intervention or for the Government to concede all the claims.
Dr Jonathan Coleman Link to this
Is it not time that the Minister admitted that despite all the hype that he would deliver more elective surgery, it is his inability to resolve industrial disputes that will mean that for the sixth year in a row this Government will deliver less elective surgery than in 2000, despite an extra $4 billion per year going into health?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
As usual, the member knowingly ignores the number of outpatient operations that occur, which significantly affects the totals.
Can the Minister tell the House how many thousands of outpatient visits will be disrupted, since he was so happy to tell Parliament about the increased number of outpatient visits, which will be severely curtailed by 1 week of industrial action?
Hon Dr MICHAEL CULLEN Link to this
I do not have in front of me the information to answer that question. I say to the member that he should front up. Is his solution either to ban strikes or to concede to whatever any striking workers ask for?