Thousands of health professionals and members of the public in the South Island protested against the Government over its handling of the health system crisis this afternoon.
Communities across the South Island were protesting the state of the health system at three separate protests in Dunedin, Westport and Reefton.
Underfunding, cost cutting, and staffing freezes are just some of the issues protesters were marching against today. (Source: 1News)
All are marching for slightly different issues, but a lack of funding, facilities and staffing have brought health professionals together this afternoon.
Hundreds gathered in Westport to march in silence against health cuts on the West Coast.
Organiser Malcolm Mulholland said they wanted to be silent “to show respect to those who are ill and in memory of those who’ve been failed by the health system on the coast”.
During the march, Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine signed the ‘Buller Declaration on the state of the NZ Health system’.
It notes the following points: the New Zealand health system is in a state of crisis, that the Government act with urgency to address the crisis, and urgently allocates additional resources to employ more nurses doctors and specialists.
Once signed by the Westport community it will be sent around the country, inviting other communities to sign the declaration.
In Dunedin, protesters were marching over the Government’s downgrade of the new Dunedin Hospital project.
Clinicians, councillors and Dunedin’s mayor Jules Radich were marching from George St to the Octogon in white.
“People across the southern region are outraged by cuts to this hospital,” Radich told the crowd.
“Many of you here today have fought a long battle with the previous government to get an agreement of what is needed.
“Now they are looking at breaking their promise and it’s simply unacceptable.”
Mayor Jules Radich led the protest, calling on the Government to fully fund the new Dunedin Hospital project. (Source: 1News)
Health Minister Shane Reti released a statement following today’s protests saying he was committed to making sure the Dunedin and the wider region’s health infrastructure needs were delivered.
“I absolutely recognise the passion of New Zealanders when it comes to delivery of health services, and that was reflected in Dunedin today,” he said.
“The Government remains committed to building a new hospital in Dunedin.”
In response to the protests on the West Coast the minister said that recruitment and retention of staff had been “a long-term challenge for successive governments” and he recognised the concern of locals.
“I’ve been assured that in-person care will remain available on the West Coast, alongside growing capacity for after-hours care through initiatives like telehealth.
“I am also very aware there are financial and workforce pressures on some practices. West Coast Health, Health NZ and the private GP practices will continue to work in partnership to ensure there are sustainable primary care services for our West Coast community.”
Former Health Minister and Labour’s health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall put her support behind today’s protests accusing the Government of budget cutbacks that were hurting the frontline.
“Our regions shouldn’t have to march in the streets to get adequate health care, especially when the Government has chosen to give tax breaks to landlords and the tobacco industry over funding for hospitals,” Verrall said.
“The health crisis is evidence of yet another broken promise from this Government, and how it is taking New Zealand backwards.”
The Green Party’s health spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon also backed protesters, saying the Government had “utter disregard” for the health of Kiwis.
“Our country has enough to ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need, whenever they need it, wherever they need it — it comes down to choices,” Lyndon said.
“This Government is choosing to underinvest in our health system at the expense of our communities.”