The public health system is supposed to have improved under this Labour Government, but there continue to be strong signs that they're not. Here's a few recent examples:
It has been disclosed that more than 35,000 people were removed from elective surgery waiting lists last year in the Government's 'clean-up' of its hospital rationing system. Also, more than 13,000 patients were sent back to their GP, after earlier being promised treatment within six months - which is more than four times higher than four years previously. Furthermore, from 2001 to 2005, the number of patients receiving elective surgery has actually declined.
Costs of GP visits are likely to rise by more than $1 for most patients after a controversial ruling by district health boards.
Private health insurance continues to steadily grow. In the last quarter of 2006 the number of people covered by health insurance jumped 8400 to 1.37 million. New Zealanders obviously still do not have faith in the public system and are opting for private health where they can afford it.
