Council joins Waimarino health services study

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 628, 19 March 1996, Page 15

Council joins Waimarino health services study

Delivery of long-term health care in the Waimarino was the subject of a recent meeting convened by the Waimarino Community Health Task Force (WCHTF) in Ohakune by the Waimarino Health Taskforce. Present at the meeting were Garrick Workman WCHTF chairman, Ruapehu District Council mayor Weston Kirton, deputy mayor Bob Peck, Ruapehu District Council chief executive Cliff Houston, members of the WCHTF and representati ves of other interest groups including the Waimarino Rest Home Trust and St John Ambulance. The council representatives were brought up to date on developments in the delivery of Waimarino heath services and to determine whether their involvement to a greater extent, both personally as councillors and financially for the council was needed, i.e. that

council health funds be directed to facilitate consultation and action by members of the task force. Mr Houston, together with the mayor and his deputy, agreed to investigate funding if it were required and for other council help. The discussion was informal and general but was based on an almost unanimous agreement that the Waimarino would be best served by grouped health services delivery (packaged) and to this end the WCHTF is keen to present such a proposal to the Central Regional Health Authority (CRHA). It has been felt for some time and was emphasised at the meeting that a long term care facility and the present health centre should go together and if possible on the same site to rationalise and co-x>rdinate services. An "easy as she goes" attitude prevailed at the

meeting in that a moderate beginning was envisaged, The establishment of two or three long term care units was considered to be an appropriate start to a possible complex later on. A revisiting of costs of this type of facility was to be investigated by some members of the WCHTF and of the council. The need for this type of care has been firmly established by the Rest Home Trust, the meeting was told. It was decided that the WCHTF still had a role to perform to investigate this proposal and would carry on with much the same representation with St John Ambulance taking a sideline interest, reflecting their particular restraints. Another meeting is scheduled for this month when the task force members and the council were to report back and collate further information that will have come to hand in the meantime.