21 Nov 2011

Union health service worried about budget pressures

5:46 am on 21 November 2011

The Newtown Union Health Service says it is concerned that pressure on district health boards to reduce their budgets will result in cuts for community health agencies.

Dr Ben Gray says the costs are increasing faster than their funding and the agency is currently working with a $300,000 deficit budget.

Dr Gray says two community primary care services have closed in the past two years in Wellington and forcing more to close would not be fair.

He says the Government and DHBs need to think carefully before cutting the front-line of health.