Graeme Cosford, mayoral candidate:

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 603, 12 September 1995, Page 10

Graeme Cosford, mayoral candidate:

Contrary to what another mayoral candidate is saying, I don't believe that the Waimarino people have been kept in the dark over

the provision of health services. In March 1993 mayor Garrick Workman as chairman of the Waimarino health task force presented to the chairman and chief executive of the Central RHA in Wellington a submission from the Waimarino community on health. This was accepted by the RHA as appropriate for the health care needs of the Waimarino. Most of the services are now being provided. However, continuing consolation is now in progress for provision of a more comprehensi ve maternity service than what is being offered in the new contract. The crunch issue for us is the provision of a general in-patient service. There is an impasse between the RHA and the CHE as to the cost of providing that service. The provider is now exiting the service and as required by law the funder is now consulting with the community seeking opinion on how and when these services should be provided and what other options there may be to provide them. The task force has been re-established with new members representative of the wider community with the full support of the Waimarino Community Board. Some members are Garrick Workman, Justine Adams, Bob Peck, Dorothy Scarrow and representatives from Plunket, Fed Farmers, Nurses, GPs etc. I feel sure that if a group feels unrepresented the task force would be pleased to discuss that matter. It is vital that people and particularly senior citizens take part in the process, talk to the committee, write and speak out on

the importance of the inpatient service which in my opinion should be targeted at more that just two beds. Above all, support the task force in their efforts to obtain the best health service for the community.