Labor's Health Cuts Continue To Hurt
Published 31 July 2024
Kellie Sloane MP
Shadow Minister for Health
Member for Vaucluse
Media Release - 31 July 2024
Labor's Health Cuts Continue To Hurt
The NSW Opposition has cautioned Labor not to celebrate too early over reductions in the covid surgery backlog – as the health system continues to suffer under Labor’s budget mismanagement.
Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane says while any reduction in patient wait times is welcome, Labor shouldn’t be giving themselves a pat on the back while emergency departments remain overcrowded, the percentage of patients starting treatment on time has decreased, and nurses continue rolling stoppages across the State.
“The health system is under strain due to Labor’s budget mismanagement with real-term cuts continuing to threaten patient services and frontline care.
“Labor should also be cautious about cherry-picking data. The fact is that more elective surgeries were performed in the final quarter of the Liberal National Government than this latest March quarter.
“While there has been a downward trend in surgery waitlist over time, which began under the Coalition, publicly available health data shows a significant reversal of that trend over the last December quarter.”
The Labor Government has now delivered two Budgets which have seen a cut in health spending in real terms. By comparison, the former Coalition Government increased both the recurrent health budget and capital budget.
“The Minns Government is asking the NSW Health System to do more with less. The people of NSW have already seen the impact of Labor’s cruel cuts when it comes to palliative care. It is clear this Government is strong on spin but lacks the vision to deliver the investment into our health system that is required now and into the future.”
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