Reti fears for rural communities under health revamp
National MP Shane Reti fears that rural communities across the country will lose out under Labour’s “radical” health restructure.
“National believes our health system should fundamentally be based around need, those who have the greatest need receive the greatest resources,” he said.
“New Zealand’s rural communities are an essential part of New Zealand, and face unique health challenges, but Labour has failed to put forward how its health restructure will benefit our small rural communities and their GPs.
“In any major merger or centralisation it’s the small communities who lose their voice, but they’re the ones who best know what works for them when it comes to keeping their people healthy.”
It was widely known that rural communities were already “losing out”. There was a need for more rural GPs and nurses across the country, but there was no mention from Labour regarding how its restructure would directly impact them, he said.
“Rather than investing the hundreds of millions of dollars this restructure will likely cost into our primary care, our rural GPs and nurses, Labour is more interested in investing in bureaucracy and more Wellington bureaucrats,” Dr Reti said.
“National campaigned last year on addressing rural health issues by tendering for a third medical school focused on retaining GPs in rural areas, progressing digital health solutions for remote areas and better recording of rural health data.
“We were also committed to addressing rural mental health issues by partnering with Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand to provide lifesaving mental health and suicide prevention workshops in our rural communities.
“National is committed to fighting for our rural GPs and nurses. They deserve to know how this restructure will impact them.”
In any major merger or centralisation it’s the small communities who lose their voice, but they’re the ones who best know what works for them when it comes to keeping their people healthy. Dr Shane Reti MP