Simeon missing in action on health – Labour
Simeon Brown is running scared from his record as a failed Health Minister and has turned down multiple requests to debate Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall in this year’s election campaign.
“Simeon Brown wouldn’t face doctors when invited to speak as Minister at last week’s Association of Salaried Medical Specialists conference. I was more than happy to take his place,” Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said.
“He wouldn’t appear on a panel of parties’ health spokespeople the next day.
“He won’t debate me on Morning Report or Mata Reports, and was missing in action at the BHN health debate last month. There was no National representative at the Health Coalition Aotearoa forum.
“Why won’t the Minister show up to debate his poor record as health minister, and the state of our health system?
“I have a pretty good idea why not – he’s broken many promises to New Zealanders.
“After promising to fix the cost of living, the cost of healthcare is going up. GP fees, prescriptions, ambulances and scans are all more expensive under National.
“The Government isn’t meeting its own targets and emergency departments are heaving under the pressure of their mismanagement.
“Hospital builds in Dunedin and Nelson are delayed and even Simeon Brown’s “rapid build wards” are on the go-slow.
“But most of all, he has been forced to concede in Parliament that in two years he has only employed 54 additional nurses in New Zealand hospitals.
“If the Minister can’t handle the heat, he should get out of the kitchen. He’s clearly unsuitable to be a minister of health, a job that ensures New Zealanders can get care when and where they need it. He’s only made things worse,” Dr Ayesha Verrall said.
Who’s Simeon? I seem to recall that name? Oh, I know he is the ‘supposed’ NZ Minister of Health! So where is he and what is he doing about our horribly failing health system? For goodness sake this man was a Banker not a Doctor, like Ayesha Verrall, so won’t front up to face her et al for any debates etc. Of course he has no idea what he is doing and is relying on staff who aren’t any better informed! He must know that GP fees, prescriptions, ambulances and scans are now more expensive, plus emergency departments are overflowing, and hospital builds in Dunedin and Nelson have been delayed. Worst of all, he has only employed 54 nurses during his tenure; no wonder they are at running speed! Brown is just another CoC ‘actor’ there for HIMSELF and his obsession with privatisation! He is not fit for the role he is in. Please tell me someone who is fit for their role in this CoC-up! It won’t get any better!