Old adversaries begin battle over health
DUNEDIN North is now the health battleground of New Zealand, National yesterday appointing its longtime electorate candidate Michael Woodhouse as its health spokesman, charged with holding Dunedin North MP and Health Minister David Clark to account.
Adding further spice to the clash is the fact Dunedin North is about to be the recipient of what will likely be the largest amount of health spending by the Labourled Government — the $1.6 billion rebuild of Dunedin Hospital.
‘‘I will be watching progress on the hospital closely, as I have been for the past three or four years,’’ Mr Woodhouse told the Otago Daily Times.
‘‘He [Dr Clark] is still very firmly of a view that the first sod will be turned quickly.
‘‘I worry about that, and I will be keeping a very close eye on that, and if he makes those promises, he has to keep them.’’
The Cabinet is considering a proposed site for the new hospital, with an announcement expected within weeks about where it will be built.
Issues with the state of the present Dunedin Hospital, such as the radiology department recently losing its accreditation, also concerned Mr Woodhouse.
‘‘There are some important questions to ask about staffing. That’s a matter for the DHB but I will be watching that closely,’’ he said.
‘‘Radiology is one of those important diagnostic special ties, the timely access to which can often lead to fewer treatments being required downstream. So the accreditation loss is symptomatic of a bigger challenge the DHB has in terms of both staff and buildings.’’
The SDHB hopes to have carried out the work required for radiology to regain accreditation by June.
Dr Clark congratulated Mr Woodhouse on picking up the health portfolio.
‘‘I know Michael well from his numerous attempts to win an electorate seat in Dunedin,’’ Dr Clark said.
‘‘He is an experienced and senior Opposition MP and I have no doubt he will take the role seriously.’’
Mr Woodhouse wasted little time getting started in his new role, issuing a press release which criticised Dr Clark’s handling of the nurses’ pay claim.
The Nurses Association yesterday rejected an offer of a 2% pay increase from DHBs, a rejection Mr Woodhouse said required Dr Clark’s urgent attention.
‘‘He must do it quickly, before nurses go on strike for the first time in decades,’’ he said.
❛ I know Michael well from his numerous attempts to win an
electorate seat in Dunedin
David Clark (left), referring to Michael Woodhouse
‘‘Strike action just as we’re approaching winter would cripple our health system and put lives at risk.’’
The nurses’ union said members should prepare for a week of national action, starting April 9.
Jonathan Coleman, health minister in the previous Nationalled government, announced last week he was leaving Parliament and taking a job in the private healthcare sector.
Yesterday National leader Simon Bridges announced Mr Woodhouse, former chief executive of Mercy Hospital and senior executive at ACC, as the party’s new health spokesman.
Mr Woodhouse retains his immigration spokesmanship and shadow Deputy Leader of the House roles, but loses Workplace Relations to Coromandel MP Scott Simpson.
‘‘I really am excited about holding the Government to account for their promises or lack of promises, in health, as well as framing policies for the next election,’’ Mr Woodhouse said.
‘‘There’s a lot to do but I’m tremendously excited about it.’’