This follows cuts already made to the new Dunedin hospital by National, which will now open with just 371 beds after reductions in ICU and geriatric capacity.
All while costing $3.4 million per month in holding costs since September 2024, while ministers decided where to cut beds and services.
This time last year Santas were visiting Parliament with a Christmas wish to build the inpatient building after thousands marched along George St.
National also prioritised building a new medical school in Waikato, despite widespread agreement that the University of Otago and Auckland University could almost immediately expand their student intakes.
The University of Otago has a proven track record for training new doctors and it is crucial that its medical school continues to operate alongside a tertiary training hospital in Dunedin.
In contrast, Labour is committed to a significant investment in health, with a focus on prevention.
If elected next year Labour will provide three free doctors visits annually for every New Zealander. Many Dunedin residents have told me they struggle to see a doctor, with cost being a major barrier.
Labour will also make cervical screening free from October, 2027.
Each year, 175 New Zealanders are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 55 die from it — almost all of which is preventable through better screening and vaccination.
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet 85% of those diagnosed have either never been screened or have missed screenings.
Free cervical screening and three free doctor’s visits will be part of our proposed "Medicard".
Labour’s Medicard aims to ensure that every New Zealander can access the care they need, when they need it.
Labour is committed to expanding health services in the South — National’s track record shows they are not.
