The Government is being criticised for failing elderly people who need help from the health system.

Labour Party Senior Citizens spokesperson Ruth Dyson, said the National Party has reduced funding to the sector by $1.7 billion.

Ms Dyson said as a result she is hearing more and more stories of elderly people missing out on elective surgeries.

"That means we're leaving older people in pain, often unable to get themselves around. They'll need more help - they might go into a rest home. This is a really bad way to treat great contributors to our community."

She said this shortfall means elderly people often miss out on elective surgeries, and are living in pain. 

"It makes me really angry when I think of people who have done really good things in their community, raised a family, worked hard. They get to an age where they finally need some help and they're being told no - it's just not fair."