According to Radio NZ Dunedin patients are waiting for many months, some well over a year, simply to get a biopsy after being referred by GPs for unpleasant symptoms and blood tests indicative of prostate cancer. Then when such cancer is diagnosed they are waiting for many more months to get treatment. Similar problems are faced by those needing heart surgery.

Of course, it’s purely coincidental that the conditions mainly affected are suffered primarily by men, and that services for women’s needs are not underfunded. As it is coincidental that the commissioner installed by government to replace the elected Health Board and who has overseen this particular division of resources leaving male services short, just happens to be a woman.