New Zealanders need a fairer go to get private health treatment, says New Zealand First.

'The Ministry of Health's National Patient Flow Project figures show that each year around 28,000 patients referred for surgery are being refused treatment because District Health Boards lack the capacity to perform the operations,” says Health Spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

'But the problem is far greater than these numbers indicate as they do not include patients who cannot get a referral because GPs know they will be turned away at the first specialist assessment phase.

'With unmet surgical need continuing to increase, it is time government adopted New Zealand First's policy to remove fringe benefit tax from health insurance and encourage uptake in private health insurance by employees.

'Only through easing the burden on the public health sector will surgery waiting lists be lowered so all New Zealanders can reap the benefits or an efficient, national health system,” says Mrs Stewart.

SOURCE: Office of Barbara Stewart