Letters: In defence of district health boards

A reader takes on critics of district health boards, including Rotorua Lakes. Photo / File

Having read some feedback on Facebook, I am appalled at the attitude of a number of our citizens and their comments about our hospital.

Criticism of Lakes and other district health boards about their perceived lack of service is rude when one considers that for the last nine years we have, in my opinion, had a Government that kept a very tight lid on funding for essential services such as health, education, justice and police, while allowing housing to stagnate and house prices to rise to phenomenal levels.

All, in my view, to keep taxes down and give tax cuts to the well-off.

If some people put as much effort into looking after their own health as they do in finding fault with our hospital maybe they would not need the service so much.

Having been an in-patient a number of times, I have found the help I have received exemplary, delivered in a very courteous way and I have always made a point of giving my thanks to the staff who have helped me every time. I owe my life on a number of occasions to this hospital.

As for service in overseas public hospitals being better, I do not believe it. Firstly most overseas medics and ambulances will not pick you up off the ground if one does not have money or insurance papers on their person or another person to guarantee payment.

I think a lot of New Zealanders have forgotten that our public health service is free of charge.

If people do not like the service they get, buy health insurance and go private.

John Smale
Fairy Springs

Summer holidays needed

I am disturbed to read that Nicola Willis thinks school holidays are too long (Opinion, January 29). I read from her comments that she has not got time to look after children.

Does she imply that the school should be a child minding institution? Has she been in front of a class of 30 children after a 10-week school term to realise those holidays are essential for both teachers and children?

Has she tried to teach children when the heat is too hot to learn?

Children need down time with their parents and what better time is there than the summer.

I would hope National would have a spokesperson more in tune with the needs of children.

Anna Garratt
Ngongotahā

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