Costs for doctors’ clinics have increased by 9%, but National’s recent Budget gave them about half of that. This means some people will pay up to $70 to see a GP. Even those people with community services cards are facing increases.
The National government knows there isn’t enough GP funding but has chosen billions in tax cuts for landlords and tobacco companies over the health of New Zealanders.
Unfortunately, many people put off GP visits because they can’t afford them. Going to the doctor can mean illness is picked up and treated early, reducing the pressure on Dunedin Hospital’s emergency department and regional hospitals in Otago.
Funding GPs properly is a simple way National could have made life easier for families. They also could have kept prescriptions free.
Instead, they’ve brought back the $5 charge to pick up most medication, which means fewer people will collect their prescriptions, again risking more serious illness.
Labour made prescriptions free and doctors’ visits cheaper for community service card holders — those on lower incomes — by $20 to $30 every visit. Labour also made doctors’ visits free for children under 14, meaning cost would never be a barrier to a child’s care.
National has also put a pause on hiring doctors, nurses and other staff in the public hospital system.
And since the election, National has made no clear commitment to delivering the new Dunedin hospital as it was planned under Labour.
In fact, the new health commissioner has said a "downsizing" of the project is a possibility.
Labour promised an extra 95 medical students at the last election, while National promised 50 and then only delivered 25 in their Budget.
National continues to ponder its pet project of a new medical school in Waikato, which would be slower and more costly than simply funding Otago and Auckland Universities to train many more doctors now.
It should concern everyone in our region that the National government is making all the wrong choices on health.
