Plunket seeks talks on funding

Plunket is seeking an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Helen Clark following the announcement that the Government is to withdraw funding from PlunketLine.

Kaye Crowther, president of Plunket, said, "We find this decision defies common sense".

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

PlunketLine was pioneered by Plunket in 1994 and the service was previously operated by Plunket, under subcontract to McKesson.

McKesson is a subsidiary of American-owned multi-national McKesson Corporation.

Initially, voluntary contributions were used to fund PlunketLine, but it was so successful that funding was sought from the Government to keep the service going.

PlunketLine answers more than 65,000 calls a year staffed by 40 specialist Plunket nurses.

Ms Crowther said Plunket was well equipped to provide the PlunketLine service.

"We have been told that we did not get the contract because McKesson can provide better clinical telephone-based services.

"We contest this, as our nurses are very capable in this regard, but more importantly, mothers do not just want a functional clinical telephone service.

"They are looking for more than this, for emotional support, family and community integration and a total approach to care," she said.

"To be frank, I can't imagine it is the intention of this Government to undermine Plunket and that is what I want to ask the Prime Minister," Ms Crowther said.

National Party leader Don Brash called on Helen Clark to explain her "betrayal" of Plunket after she had previously pledged to keep the PlunketLine going.

"Having the skills and experience of a Plunket nurse at the end of the phone is invaluable to parents when they are at their most vulnerable.

"The proposed alternative won't have that depth of experience on the line, nor the ability to link in with the Plunket community network," he said.

- NZPA