Union’s health "alarm’

Press, 4 August 1987, Page 50

Union’s health "alarm’

PA Wellington The Central Clerical Workers’ Union says it is alarmed at recent events which it says point to the possible disintegration of the public health system. “Things look pretty grim,” said Christine Gillespie, acting secretary of the Central Clerical Workers’ Union.

“We’ve got Southern Cross talking about opening new private hospitals, acknowledging that they will be taking specialists away from the public sector, rumours of post-elec-

tion cuts of health spending, and even of the corporatisation of the public health system. There’s talk of the ‘professionalisation’ of health boards, and we have the Gibbs Task Force.” Mr Gillespie said that for many of the union’s members, particularly those outside the big cities, the need for medical treatment or hospitalisation was already a burden because they did not get paid during work absence. “Add to that any increase in charges and

our members will be very hard-hit,” she said. “Our members are mainly women. They are concerned that they continue to have access to free or inexpensive health services for cervical smears, breast examinations and maternity services, and for the care of their children. "We call on the Government to make a clear and unequivocal statement of commitment to a fullyfunded, accessible public health system.”