Hospital may become local responsibility

Ruapehu Bulletin, 20 August 1991, Page 5

Hospital may become local responsibility

The future of the Waimarino Health Centre looks likely to be up to the community, following the recently announced health system changes. Mayors around the country have been handed the task of spearheading community input into setting up the new system, which is to take place from now until Area Health Boards cease to exist in 12 months' time. Ruapehu mayor Gaxrick Workman has taken on the job, aiming to work through the process in an orderly fashion to the best advantage of people of the Ruapehu District. "My gut feeling is that if the Waimarino Care Centre is to be retained and continue operating as at present then it would seem to me almost inevitable that the community will be required to provide an input," said Mr Workman. He said a process of formulating submissions on the shape of new health

services had started with meetings of the Waiouru and Waimarino Health Watch Committees and the setting up of a similar committee in the north. The committees and individuals have until the end of November to make submissions on the future. Mr Workman said it was likely that the new Regional Health Authority would offer the Health Care Centre to the people of the district, to be managed by the community through a community trust. Mr Workman said while the formation of a community trust was a way to ensure the services of the Health Care Centre are retained, there would be risks involved if there was little demand for the services offered to cover the costs of services. The newly formed National Interim Provider Board, chaired by business leader Sir Ron Trotter, is to look at whether individual hospitals or services are suitable

to be placed under Community Trusts. Mr Workman said the appointment of Sir Ron highlights the business nature of the decisions to be made. An advantage for the community may be that trusts will enable communities to become more involved in the provision of their own health services. Mayor Workman said the strategy decided was to develop options that face the community, then put them to public meetings for discussion and decision before putting a community submission to the Authority. "We've got to move fast but I want to move at a steady pace in an orderly and effective manner," said Mr Workman. He said he did not want to see the disorder of neighbouring districts started here. "When we go to the public we want to be fully informed as to the possible options."