Waimarino to retain beds

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 611, 7 November 1995, Page 1

Waimarino to retain beds

Central Regional Health Authority (CRHA) announced its decision last Tuesday on the future of medical inpatient services currently provided at the new Waimarino Rural Health Centre (WRHC) in Raetihi. "We have concluded that these services should be retained locally - preferably at the new, purposebuilt Health Centre - because of the distance and difficulty of travel to other centres," Fran Ashton, manager of Contract Development and Information for CRHA, said last week. "We have looked at the possibility of replacing these services as far as possible with communitybased care - which essentially would mean more district nursing, GP home visits and other support services - but concluded this would be difficult and costly to sustain at the level required for such a widely scattered population." More than 300 written submissions were received from organisations and individuals, the overwhelming majority urging the retention of local services with transport difficulties being the main reason given. "Our preferred option is still dependent on negotiating with providers and we aim to advise the community of the outcome in mid-December," Fran Ashton said. In making its decision the RHA had considered three options. They were:. Option 1 looked at the possibility of inpatient services being located at Wanganui, Taihape or Taumarunui Hospitals. The project team concluded that the travel time to those locations for the majority of the population (only 20 per cent could travel to Wanganui Base Hospital in less than 60 minutes (the so-called 'golden hour'), and the limited public transport available, ruled out this option. Option 2 considered replacing inpatient services, as far as possible with increased 24-hour, homebased support, supervision and nursing services. However, on detailed examination of typical admissions to WRHC, the project team concluded that most would require high levels of home supervision and nursing care, which would be difficult and costly to sustain for such a widely dispersed population. Furthermore, some patients would still need to go to hospital - either Taihape or Wanganui Base Hospital. Option 3 was for the retention of existing inpatient services in Raetihi, preferably at the new, purposebuilt WRHC. The discussion document reminded the community that whatever the favoured option, it would finally depend on finding .a willing provider who could provide the service at a price CRHA is willing to pay. Consultation and review The consultation programme which has led to this decision has been in progress since mid-July after Good Health Wanganui (GHW) notified the CRHA of its intention to discontinue providing medical inpatient services from 31 December 1995. This programme has included a public meeting in Raetihi , a hui with representati ves of the local Maori community, and consultation with community/health interest groups and individuals. CRHA's project team has worked closely with GHW and the Waimarino Taskforce appointed and chaired by former Mayor, Garrick Workman. A discussion document was published in September and circulated to the community. This paper set out the issues and options identified for future inpatient care (or equivalent services) for the people of Waimarino. The CRHA would like to recognise the contribution of Garrick Workman, the Waimarino taskforce, and the many groups and individual members of the community who have participated, and encouraged others to participate, in this process. For the Waimarino taskforce chairmarts response, turn to page 3 of this issue.