Range of concerns for health group

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 10, Issue 473, 16 February 1993, Page 3

Range of concerns for health group

Helicopter rescue services, the Raetihi playground, rubbish recycling, the Waimarino Rest Home are some of the issues of concern for the W aimarino Community Health Watch Committee (WCHWC).

The Community Health committee had its first meeting for 1993 on Monday 8 February at . Raetihi. Members present were: chairperson Jenny Dekker, correspondence secretary Justine Adams, minutes secretary Kate Lourie, publicity officer Alison Anderson and committee members: Chris Brown, Yvonne Triggell, May Cranston, Peggy Frew, Dorothy Scarrow, Rowena Kui, Carole Harford and Lesley Proude. The committee meets once a month to discuss health issues pertinent to the Waimarino District and to liaise with the Area Health Board. The meetings are open to the public and anyone with a health-related concern is welcome, or they can pass on their concems directly to one of the committee members. At last week's meeting the following issues were discussed:

Air ambulance Support for the continued use of Wanganui Aero Works Helicopter to provide the Air Ambulance service for the Waimarino. Raetihi playground Progress (or the lack of progress) on the installation of Raetihi's new playground equipment is a major concern. The 'high priority' given to playground improvements by Waimarino Community Board in December 1992 need to be followed with some action allowing Raetihi children the benefits of a safe, up-to-date playground in 1993, the committee believes. Recycling The Community Board is setting up a sub-com-mittee to look at the feasibility of recycling bins at the Waimarino dump. The CHWC supports this move and two WCHWC

members are prepared to serve on this sub-com-mittee. Melanoma Melanoma Day is now being organised by CHWC. Any spots, freckles, moles etc people are concerned about can be checked free by a doctor or dermatologist. Further details will be published soon. The Waimarino Health Centre now has three student midwifes training - Tammy Jowsey, Robyn McDougal and Nikki Whitloow. Deborah Walker is new to the area bringing the number of trained midwifes working at the Health Centre to four which puts Waimarino 's maternity patients in excellent hands, says the committee. A meeting with Murray Burns, chief executive officer and Barry Taylor health service manager (Regional Health

Authority) and with Crown Health Enterprises is scheduled for 17 February to keep members of WCHWC abreast of changes to Health care and to keep communications open. The committee also supports tue Waimarino Rest Home Trust, shops to raise money for the rest home are open daily in both Raetihi and Ohakune and the trust welcomes any second- ' hand clothing, books, fumiture or other saleable items.