Health pressure ignored

Health Minister Andrew Little states the Government has inherited the health crisis and thus it cannot be blamed for the debacle griping our healthcare system ( EDs ‘safe’ despite ballooning waiting times, says minister, Nov 16).

For the last 38 years with have had 20 years of a Labour government and 18 led by National. During this time the looming tsunami of ageing baby-boomers and their vastly increasing healthcare needs were patently obvious, yet patently ignored by successive governments.

This day should have been planned for years ago and National and Labour are coconspirators in the creation of this situation.

One of the catchcries spouted by successive governments was that primary care would ‘‘take up the slack’’, hence we did not have to invest in hospital infrastructure and hospital staff because primary care would stop the droves of ageing ill presenting to hospital.

Alas the exact opposite has happened. The resources put into primary care have been woefully inadequate.

Nebulous and increasing compliance demands, plus a stranglehold on general practice incomes via an under-financed capitation system, have pretty well made the profession the near least desirable for new graduate doctors.

Additionally, for 20 years survey after survey reported an ageing workface getting closer and closer to retirement, yet no planning was undertaken to address this.

The result is primary care is overwhelmed with a lack of capacity and the only option is for many of the sick to seek out help in emergency departments. Dr Rob Kieboom, Raumati Beach