Chairman 'Relieved and delighted' after RHA decision

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 611, 7 November 1995, Page 3

Chairman 'Relieved and delighted' after RHA decision

Waimarino Health Taskforce chairman and former mayor of the Ruapehu District, Garrick Workman, was both relieved and delighted that the Central Regional Heath Authority (RHA) had responded favourably to the submissions by the taskforce as well as more than 300 other written submissions supporting the need for retention of inpatient services at the new Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi. "Having achieved recognition of the need for short term care in the two general beds now to be retained at the Centre (in addition to the three maternity beds) opportunities now exist to explore long-term care options such as local rest home facilities if vacancies exist" said Mr Workman last Wednesday when Central RHA announced its decision. "We want to work closely with the Waimarino Rest Home Trust with the aim of providing longer term health care facilities beyond the one to two day stays when a patient might require full medical supervision", he said. He told the Bulletin that the RHA decision was the one which the Waimarino Health Taskforce wanted but this now needed to be expanded and enhanced. He said a lot of people had wondered if there was any point in trying to get RHA to listen given the way health reforms were being implemented around the country but "we have proved the consulation process can work". "And, with more than 300 written submissions, it says something about the determination and concerns of the Waimarino community to ensure health services are retained locally".