Nurses' hostel sale opposed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 406, 1 October 1991, Page 1

Nurses' hostel sale opposed

A petition has been launched to stop the sale of the Waimarino Health Centre's Nurses Hostel. Tenders have been called for the sale of the hostel by the Manawatu Wanganui Area Health Board, but local concern has been expressed because of the uncertain future of the Waimarino Health Centre. Also, there is concern that the money from such a sale would go to the general fund and not towards better health care for people in the Waimarino. Group spokesperson Keith Haitana said

they felt the hostel should be kept at present so as to keep as much of the area's health service assets as possible. "By doing so we have more to offer in the event of being under the umbrella of a larger authority," said Mr Haitana. "If the Waimarino Hospital becomes the responsibility of the people to run and administer, the proceeds of such a sale or lease would be of utmost importance to the viability and success of running our own hospital in the Waimarino." Ruapehu mayor Garrick Workman said he has been assured by health board

representative Jeff Small that the Board is 'just testing the ground' at this stage and that the hostel would not be sold before consultation with Waimarino people. Mr Workman said he would be speaking to MWAHB manager Maurice Sexton as soon as Mr Sexton returned from overseas. "I have told Mr Small that we are not happy with the move," said Mr Workman. A public meeting on health care services in the Waimarino is to be held at the Raetihi School hall on Tuesday 15 October.