New rural health management structure

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 538, 31 May 1994, Page 3

New rural health management structure

Good Health Wanganui has restructured the management of its Rural Health Centres in the Waimarino, Taihape and South Rangitikei districts, dropping one senior staff member in the process. Chief executive Ron Janes said last week the move was important for integrating the services the Crown Health Enterprise provides. "The changes will ensure that the focus of the company continues to develop to cover a wider area than just the Wanganui city and the services we provide there," Mr Janes said. Managers have been appointed for each of the Rural Health Centres but, as well as being involved in the co-ordination and provision of services to their communities, each will cover a specialist area for services throughout the region. Rowena Kui, of Raetihi, will be responsible for maternity services, Judith McDonald (Taihape) will care for the health of seniors and Heather Richardson (Marton) will have responsibility for the physical facilities of all the Rural Health Centres.

The present manager of the Taihape Rural Health Centre has lost per job in the restructuring, as the positionwas 'disestablished' and she did not gain a position under the new stmcture. Rowena Kui has worked as a midwife in the Waimarino area since 1 979 and has managed the Waimarino Rural Health Centre for the past few years. Judith McDonald established and developed the district nursing role in Taihape. She has a special interest in the care of the elderly and is currently at the Taihape Rural Health Centre. Heather Richardson has managed the South Rangitikei Rural Health Centres since 1986 and has a wealth of experience in

managing facilities. She has a particular interest in quality. 'This new structure means the Rural Health Centre managers will be able to reinforce their specialist skills and experience," Mr Janes said. "Because they will report directly to the maternity, seniors and commercial support services managers of Good Health Wanganui, they willbe directly involved in developing new health initiatives and will be able to introduce them to our rural services at the same time as in Wanganui. I also believe there will be a great deal of job satisfaction for each of the appointees in their new roles." Child health and community mental health services would continue to be delivered and developed in the rural areas, he said. "Good Health Wanganui maintains a strong commitment to the health needs of people throughout the region and acknowledges that issues of access can be more extreme for people in rural areas than those in the city," Mr Janes said.