Health future may be north or south

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 465, 8 December 1992, Page 1

Health future may be north or south

Two hospitals will be vying for business from Waimarino residents, following the introduction of Crown Health Enterprises (CHE's). * Under the government reforms, Wanganui Hospital will be a CHE and Taumarunui will be part of the Waikato CHE, both of which will be responsible f6r providing commercially viable health services. As a result, both hospitals will be seeking support from customers in their respective areas. Ruapehu Community Health Advocate chairman Weston Kirton would like to look at the possibility of including Waimarino

residents in the patient catchment area for Taumarunui Hospital, so that it may present a better case to the Waikato CHE for continuing and upgradihg its services. "We would like to touch base with the people of the Waimarino to find out if they see Taumarunui as their base hospital, rather than Wanganui," He said many people were put off by travelling through the Parapara Gorge to Wanganui, especially pregnant women and the elderly, and Taumarunui could provide services for those people. This would not affect the Waimarino Health Centre, but complement it, he said, and he intended to meet with the

Waimarino Health Watch Committee to discuss their position. Ruapehu District mayor Garrick Workman said Wanganui Hospital would also be looking for support from Waimarino residents to make the CHE more viable, both clinically and financially. "It may be possible to have the choice of both hospitals, although that depends on what sorts of arrangements can be made," he said. Mr Workman will be advising the Waimarino Health Watch Committee next week as to what options will be available. "Ideally, I'd like to see Waikato and Wanganui CHE's working together."