13 Aug 2018

Dialysis for NZers 'rationed' as ineligible visitors treated

From Morning Report, 7:12 am on 13 August 2018

New Zealand dialysis patients are having their treatment rationed because of ineligible immigrants turning up for emergency care, according to government documents.

Immigration New Zealand's chief medical officer said at times staff said they have had to reduce dialysis sessions to twice a week and patients "get sick and die quicker" at that level.

Documents obtained by RNZ from Immigration New Zealand include slides from a presentation by its chief medical officer on the costs and demands on the health system, made in a meeting with the Immigration and Protection Tribunal last year.

RNZ reporter Gill Bonnett joins us with the details.