Mayor happy with health care future

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 504, 21 September 1993, Page 1

Mayor happy with health care future

Ruapehu mayor Garrick Workman is confidentGood Health Wanganui will provideadequate health care facilities for the people of the Waimarino. The mayor of the Ruapehu District, Garrick Workman, the chief executive Cliff Houston, Waimarino Community Board chairman Colin Webb and the chairman of Good Health Wanganui met in Wanganui last week to discuss the proposed new Health Centre at Raetihi. "I requested the meeting because of public concerns at the direction planning for the new facility was taking" said Mr Workman. "There was a feeling that the W anganui Crown Health Enterprise was not addressing the concerns being expressed by the Waimarino community regarding the size of the new Health Centre. "After having thoroughly discussed this issue at the meeting, I am satisfied that Good Health Wanganui has taken on board those concerns and will establish a facility capable of providing an appropriate level of health care locally and a facility that is of an acceptable size. "The number of available beds at the centre will be increased by redesigning bedroom areas from the original capacity of three to seven or possibly even more in an emergency. A new X-ray capability would also be installed in the form of a

portable X-ray machine and active steps are being taken to secure the services of a qualified radiographer, he said. Mr Workman said Good Health Wanganui is interested in establishing the new Health Centre alongside the proposed rest-home. There is the possibility of some staff and facilities being shared which could provide economies of operation to both organisations and would mean that the direct facihty is always manned in some way. Good Health W anganui also proposes to apply any local trust moriies on hand, subject to legal confirmation of its abihty to do so, to the construction of the new facihty. "All these proposals are positive and are of benefit to the Waimarino community," said Mr Workman. "I have been advised that Good Health Wanganui will be in a position to make a full public presentation on the course of action to be taken around the end of this month. In the meantime, Community Board chairman Colin Webb and I will be consulting with representatives of the Waimarino Community Health Watch Committee and the Waimarino Rest-home Trust about the outcome of this meeting and the proposal of the Trust to construct a rest-home adjacent to the new Centre."