Plunket loses Government helpline contract

Plunket has lost the Government contract to run a 24-hour helpline for parents and caregivers, which it founded 12 years ago.

The Ministry of Health announced yesterday that McKesson New Zealand, the company already contracted to provide the 24-hour Healthline service, had been chosen to provide a Well Child free-phone service.

The service was previously operated by Plunket, under subcontract to McKesson.

Plunket chief executive Paul Baigent said he was deeply disappointed at the ministry's decision - but vowed Plunket would seek other funding sources to keep Plunketline going.

The move shocked Nursing Organisation chief executive Geoff Annals, who said the funding cut would lead to "a deterioration in the ability of parents and caregivers to obtain ready access to high-quality, specialist child health information and advice".

Mr Baigent said the contract was put up for tender in December at Plunket's own request, after 15 months of working under the McKesson umbrella, following revelations that more than 80 per cent of calls to PlunketLine were going unanswered.