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The Government's critics have accused him of being accident prone and Health Minister David Cunliffe seems to have proven the point by slipping and breaking his foot.
The newly appointed health boss, Mr Cunliffe got a first hand look at his portfolio in action with a two hour wait until his treatment was completed in Auckland Hospital on Friday night.
Mr Cunliffe said he was treated the same as anyone else.
"I clearly have a profile problem because I don't think Auckland accident and emergency knew who I was, and I got excellent care," Mr Cunliffe said.
Asked if that was an acceptable waiting time, Mr Cunliffe said it was fairly typical for a Friday night.
"It was an early mystery shopper expedition for me."
The minister said he did not consider going private and he did not have health insurance, though his wife had some through her job.
Mr Cunliffe said he been going down the steps of his home to pick up papers, when he slipped and broke his metatarsus bone.
He joked that it was more difficult going down steps than up - a symbolic reference to life in politics.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven earlier this year also fell down steps and sported a cast and sling on his right arm after breaking the radius bone.
- NZPA
