The Southern District Health Board has been commended for an increase in the number of patients being assessed by surgical specialists.
Health Minister Tony Ryall released figures yesterday showing more southern patients received first surgical specialist assessments in 2009-10 than any year previously.
However, Labour health spokeswoman Ruth Dyson said the increase reflected patients being "dumped" on the system by ACC, which had tightened criteria for surgery.
Money was being siphoned from other services to cope with the extra demand, she said.
Ms Dyson said the home help assistance cuts to the elderly in Otago and Southland, and other parts of New Zealand, were an example of funds being tightened in some areas to provide more services in others.
In response, Mr Ryall said Ms Dyson would "never give credit to the Government" for something her party had not achieved while in power.
"The reality is more people are being seen and more people are getting operations."
Mr Ryall said the southern board carried out 23,375 first surgical specialist assessments - 13,836 in Otago, 9539 in Southland - in the last financial year, an increase of more than 2900 on the previous year.
"Seeing a specialist is a gateway to elective surgery, provided surgery is appropriate and available within six months.
"These appointments are also important for other patients, providing assessment and advice for management of the patient's health issue."
Mr Ryall said that under the previous Labour government, "real access" to first specialist appointments was reduced because it did not keep pace with population growth.
He commended southern health board staff for providing more frontline services.
Southern DHB chief operating officer (Otago) Vivian Blake was unavailable for comment.
