MPs join elderly in call for lift

Health Minister David Cunliffe is under pressure in Parliament to end Arthur and Barbara Broomes’ long wait for a new lift.

Local National MPs Judith Collins and Paul Hutchison have taken up the issue on the Broomes’ behalf with Mr Cunliffe and the Health Ministry.

Port Waikato MP Dr Hutchison is National’s spokesman on disability issues.

When the Papakura Courier contacted him he was writing another in a series of letters to Mr Cunliffe about the Broomes’ plight.

"I have written multiple letters to the ministry and the minister to ask them to get on with it and this has been as long ago as the beginning of the year," Dr Hutchison says.

"It now comes up to an anniversary of over a year when they were promised it and in my view this shows hopeless dysfunction by the minister and ministry in terms of failing to keep their promises or demonstrating that they run an efficient, effective service.

"In human terms, it’s downright cruel on elderly people that have had promises made to them," he says.

"The government official policy is ageing in the home and here they are basically offering this couple alternatives in total contradiction to their promises both to them personally and to the nation generally so I think it’s basically a national disgrace."

Clevedon MP Ms Collins describes the situation as a complete mess and an indication of how badly people with disabilities who stay in their own homes are being treated.

"It’s an appalling case but it’s just one of many," she says.

Mr Cunliffe is expected to present a written response to a question on the Broomes’ plight from ACT Party health spokeswoman Heather Roy in Parliament today.

But he has not responded to the Papakura Courier’s inquiries.

On Monday a spokeswoman for the health minister said Mr Cunliffe, "wouldn’t be making any comment about the Broome case today".

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