Raetihi to retain birth beds

Ruapehu Bulletin, 11 July 1995, Page 3

Raetihi to retain birth beds

Waimarino Rural Health Centre will retain its birthing facility, following agreement between Good Health Wanganui and the Central Regional Health Authority on extra funds to keep the service at Raetihi, GHW chief executive Ron Janes announced last Wednesday. "Last year we were operating at such a huge loss in the Waimarino area that our recently-released business plan required us to close all inpatient services at the Waimarino Rural Health Centre." "These extra funds, gained as part of our recent contract negotiations with the RHA, mean that the new facility in Raetihi will cater for births. It will be a facility which will open on demand and provide full time care. Mothers will be cared for by GHW midwives and others, such as general practitioners, who have access agreements with Good Health for this purpose," said Mr Janes. Staff told first Good Health Wanganui had an obligation to inform staff of the contents of its business plan, before consulting with the community , GHW chief executive Ron Janes said last week.

Responding to criticism from Rangitikei MP Denis Marshall, Mr Janes said he was disappointed with Mr Marshall's comments about the lack of community consultation before the announcement of the business plan. "GHW's staff were waiting for the business plan to be accepted by our shareholders, having gone through the 'Prove and Improve' process and knowing big changes were needed to the organisation," Mr lanes said. "It was important that our staff were informed first - that was their right. We had assured staff we would keep them informed and we had to stick to th^t. The business plan was approved by the ministers of CHEs and finance and contract negotiations with the Central Regional Health Authority followed that approval. We had to give the information to staff, once the business plan had been approved, because it directly affects their futures. "GHW has concerns for meeting the health needs of the community and there is a consultation process which we and the RHA need to go through. As Mr Marshall rightly points out, there will be ample provision for rural people to make their needs known."