NEWS 3
Ashburton Guardian Thursday, January 5, 2023
National’s spokesperson on health, Dr Shane Reti.
Support for Rushtons; disappointment with Little Malcolm Hopwood The best thing Andrew Little can do, at the moment, is acknowledge the health sector is in crisis, claims National’s health spokesman. Dr Shane Reti, in supporting the public recognition given to Ashburton’s Claire and Gerard Rushton, said Minister of Health, Little, could start to win back the trust of the health sector by confronting the issues. “Acknowledging the health sec-
tor is in crisis would show he understands the significance of the situation,” Dr Reti said. “Instead he’s intent on implementing his health reforms and has taken his eye off preventative measures such as encouraging Pharmac to make meningitis vaccines available to all young people.” Dr Reti said Little should repurpose his reforms to fast-track the availability of vaccines for preventable infections such as meningitis. He said Christchurch Hospital, where Mid Canterbury people go for a range of medical conditions, is “one of the ones” he worries about.
“It’s not a reflection on the staff, but it has huge work force and implementation problems. Staffing is severely stretched,” he said. Dr Reti is “very pleased” the Rushtons have been recognised as the Ashburton Guardian’s Mid Cantabrians of the Year. “They have a passion and belief in their mission to make meningitis vaccines freely available to all young people and their concern for New Zealand children,” he said. “The award is well deserved.” Dr Reti said the Rushtons give their time freely to front the Meningitis Foundation’s campaign, which saw them present a peti-
tion to parliament and address the health select committee last year. However succeeding in their goal “is still to be achieved”, and Dr Reti isn’t getting that sense of commitment from Little. “He has a lot of distractions from his health reforms and his recent measles catch-up programme was a terrible failure,” he said. “While I will continue with my advocacy, I’m not optimistic he will achieve much this year.” Dr Reti said that if National succeeded in becoming the government it would focus its attention on making vaccines available for preventable infec-
tions, however, to alter the present Government’s health reforms would take a minimum of six months. He is, at present, scoping his 2023 timetable and wants to be down in the Rangitata electorate in April this year. In a Facebook message, Gerard Rushton said he’d like to thank “all our friends and family and the community for their support.” The award comes on “the ninth anniversary of losing our beautiful Courtenay who gives us the strength to continue to work to ensure others don’t have to suffer the loss we have,” he said. “This one is for you Courts.”
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