Chris Mulcahy

The issues for Whakatāne Hospital sit within a national picture. The recent PSA survey of health workers shows that 81 percent say the National/NZ First/ Act government cuts has damaged health services, 86 percent say cuts will make it harder for people to get healthcare and 72 percent agree that health is underfunded. That reflects what we are seeing at Whakatāne Hospital, where stressed health professionals work within a system under real financial pressure.

The two health ministers we have had so far, Shane Reti and Simeon Brown, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, talk about record funding, but  even a $1 increase on last year is a funding increase. In fact, the $16.68 billion they trumpet  is mostly funding that is already counted in the normal running of the health service and has been projected into the future and has to last many years. In fact the additional 24/25 funding for Te Whata Ora is only $1.430  million and will fall short of what is needed. They are playing with mirrors. They are playing with our health.

The promises Mr Brown announced last week are equally about playing with numbers and mirrors. He promised 100 placements for overseas doctors. Here in Whakatāne, we know firsthand how hard it is to get overseas doctors, get them registered and then trained, so don’t hold your breath.

They also announced a new digital health service. Well, we don’t have enough doctors here now so that means going overseas, again. No knowledge of New Zealand conditions and culture, probably no access to your health records, and you will have to pay for it as well. And actually, we already do this with our local doctors and there are a couple of providers here - so what is new here?

Mr Brown also promised an extra $285 million for GPSs over three years, but the money is coming from existing budgets, and we already know they are making cuts to those.

They promised $30 million for GP practices to recruit  and support graduate nurses  over the next five years. Again, when you crunch the numbers, this is about enough for two days per practice per week. While this is not to be sneezed at, the amount will not cover the expenses of supporting new nurses and again we have no idea where the money is coming from - again robbing Peter to pay Paul?

We do know where the money for bowel screening changes is coming from. Existing Māori and Pacific bowel screening money has been moved so that everyone gets it from the age of 58, this is despite the evidence that Māori and Pasifika get bowel cancer  at a much younger age. I am not sure why I am surprised; this is an evidence-free government. Think smoking, think climate change, think Māori health.

I’m looking forward to making this a one term Government.