Democrats stress policy of preventive health

Press, 28 July 1987, Page 8

Democrats stress policy of preventive health

PA Wellington The Democrats’ health policy, released yesterday, emphasises preventive treatment and the decentralisation of facilities;

An independent medical advisory board would be established to review health services, the policy said.

Services would be restructured if necessary to give communities "the health care system that best suits their particular needs.”

Decentralisation would include integrating Health Department district

officers with hospital boards, and leaving financial decisions to regional health bodies. Future medical facilities would be planned with more attention to out-patient facilities, and small cottage hospitals would also be considered to cater for minor surgery, convalescence and emergency care. Preventive measures included education on the dangers of cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol and restricting smoking advertising. The Democrats would recognise specialists in r

alternative forms of medicine, who would then qualify for social welfare benefits and Accident Compensation Corporation payments. Psychiatric hospitals would gradually be phased out, with units provided at general hospitals for those who could not be accommodated at home or In communitybased homes. The Democrats also promised to eliminate the vivisection of animals in medical research, and to conduct more research in the areas of alcoholism, drug addiction, contraception and crime.