National to deliver on PlunketLine

new-zealand-national-party

Tue Oct 14 2008 13:00:00 GMT+1300 (New Zealand Daylight Time)

National to deliver on PlunketLine

Tuesday, 14 October 2008, 5:08 pm
Press Release: New Zealand National Party

Tony Ryall MP
National Party Health Spokesman

14 October 2008

National Party Health spokesman Tony Ryall is disappointed that Labour’s maternity policy has no room for the trusted PlunketLine Service.

“Helen Clark promised in 1999 that she would fund the PlunketLine service for 24 hours a day. She said she would increase resources. In 2006, her Government moved to axe PlunketLine funding.

“National is pleased to be able to restore this service, for the sake of the thousands of families that will benefit from it.”

Mr Ryall says Steve Chadwick has badly miscued in her attempt to dismiss National’s Maternity Care policies.

“What she’s telling us today is that more of the same is just fine with Labour. When will this Government wake up and realise that maternity care is in crisis?

“Up and down the country women are struggling to find midwives, and then once they reach the hospital they’re being told to leave early, or they’re left to feed their new babys in the waiting room outside a public toilet.

“This is a disgraceful situation and Steve Chadwick should not be defending it.”

Mr Ryall says if National’s policy is as Ms Chadwick describes a pale imitation of Labour’s policy, she needs to explain a few things.

“Where’s the voluntary bonding of midwives and doctors in hard-to-staff areas?

“Where’s the PlunketLine funding? Where’s the plan to fix any of the problems facing new and expectant mums?”

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

a.supporter:hover {background:#EC4438!important;} @media screen and (max-width: 480px) { #byline-block div.byline-block {padding-right:16px;}}

Using Scoop for work?

Scoop is free for personal use, but you’ll need a licence for work use. This is part of our Ethical Paywall and how we fund Scoop. Join today with plans starting from less than $3 per week, plus gain access to exclusive Pro features.

Join Pro Individual Find out more

Find more from New Zealand National Party on InfoPages.