Local groups share health views

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 409, 22 October 1991, Page 11

Local groups share health views

Representatives from most community groups in the Waimarino attended an open meeting at the Waimarino Health Centre with Garrick Workman, Mayor of Ruapehu District Council and Bob Davies, Wanganui Hospital Manager, on Tuesday. Mr Workman outlined the changes to the Health system as a result of the Budget and what had been done in the region to date: Nationally there are to be four regional health authorities for the country. Large hospitals will become Crown Health Enterprises run by boards such as State Owned Enterprises. Community Trusts could be set up to run smaller hospitals, such as Waimarino, with locally appointed boards. Funding would not be automatic and trusts would need to sell their services to the regional health authority. If they didn't pay, the local community would have to pay the extra or lose the service. With the new proposals the govemment is splitting the purchasing and providing of health services. Regional Health Authorities will purchase high quality services in the most cost effective way. They won't own the hospitals but will concentrate on the 'core' health services. The public are being asked to say what they see as the 'core' health services both nationally and locally. These core services would be provided free or subsidised by the state. Mr Workman, the Waimarino and Waiouru Health Watch Committees have been working together to look at what health services are needed in the Waimarino. Action "Our role is to spearhead community action within the community to establish submissions that will clearly define the core health services that we believe are essential for our communities and that we believe we should have access to either locally, regionally of nationally. We also need to make a point strongly that we want essential services provided locally. We also need to indicate how they should be funded, from general tax, GST or health premiums,"

said Mr Workman. "We are not on a save the hospital campaign at the moment," said Mr Workman. "The big question is the future of the Waimarino Health Centre. There is the possibility of establishing a community trust. In order to do this the trust would need to contract the regional health authority for certain services and access to services not provided locally. "We have to make sure we have people with skills, for example a radiographer, nurses, doctors etc so we have something to offer," said Mr Workman. Nurses' hostel sale The sale of assets such as the nurses home was discussed and it was felt there was a need to hold on to any property. "There is at present a petition with around 700 signatures protesting the selling of the nurses home," said Keith Haitana. It was decided that Mr Workman would present the petition to Maurice Sexton at an up-coming meeting. Dental Therapist Kate Lourie asked about the possibility of a local authority health rate. "I hope we don't have to look at community funding for health services. We will not strike a rate unless we have a very, very clear direction from the people," said Mr Workman. "How do people get to the necessary services if they are unable to drive?" asked Nancy Winter of the Crippled Children's Society. "There is a need for a backup service to help people get to a specialist in another town if it is cheaper." If the service was not available there is a need for access and accommodation for families to take a patient to another centre. This was felt to be an area to be looked at. "The elderly in the area are not being provided for," said Helen Fahey, Public Health Nurse. "In the Waimarino there is no facility for the frail and ambulant and that may need looking at as there is a high young and elderly population." "We have to consider what core services are needed in this area," said Dorothy Scarrow, Waimarino Health Watch Committee. "If we don't we may miss out. We need to make people aware and en-

courage them to make submissions." The meeting heard that there were basically three options for Wanganui: to serve the city only; to link closely to Palmerston North as a feeder hospital; or for Wanganui to focus on the traditional community services across regional boundaries as now, servicing Waimarino, Taihape and Patea. Most referrals away are made to Wanganui as Waimarino cannot provide all the core services. Government wants units to be more competitive. "We wont be able to carry any surgeons or staff who are not pulling their weight,' said Mr Davies. "It is in Wanganui's best interest to provide a wide range of services to the population." The proposed new system is designed to encourage competitiveness and the customer will have a wider choice. They will not need to go to the nearest hospital. Hospitals will have to market themselves. Waimarino people may be in a better position as they may go north or south for their services. "It is interesting that secondary services are being cut to cover shortfalls over the whole board. Palmerston North is not making the percentage cuts that rural people are making," said Ruth Jensen, manager of Taihape Rural Health Centre. "Waimarino and Taihape have been asked to make five percent cuts and then another one percent which has been done and we are now almost at unfit practice state," said Kim Gosman, manager of rural health centres. "Will the human cost (of the reforms) be taken into account?" asked Peter Pitts, New Zealand Defence representative. "What will be the social cost to rural areas. We need to weigh the costs of travel for families to visit." The Maori community are very busy and keen to provide for Maori health services. There are two pilot health schemes under way at present. Over the next two months there will be meetings at Raetihi and Waiouru and at local marae. There is a meeting at the Raetihi Primary School hall on 30 October where people are encouraged to help with public submissions. Margot Mains will also be in attendance.