"RHA incompetent" - Peck

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 665, 3 December 1996, Page 1

"RHA incompetent" - Peck

The sooner the Central Regional Health Authority is made redundant the better, Waimarino Rest Home Trust chairman Bob Peck told the Bulletin yesterday. Mr Peck had launched into attack last week at the trust' s annual meeting, accusing CRHA of bureau-

cratic stonewalling on the issue of funding a feasibility study for a Waimarino rest home. He criticised the CRHA for "its unwillingness and inability to negotiate with the trust for feasibility funds which had been promised earlier".

"In the national political process taking place the RHA may very well find itself redundant and from my point of view I would welcome the removal of such an inept bureaucratic structure from the health scene," said Mr Peck. Mr Peck's criticisms

were countered by Ted Gallen, CRHA group manager, disability support services. Mr Gallen said funds for feasibility studies were not available. He also said CRHA had been unable to confirm that the trust had sent four applications for funding. "What we can confirm is that the information provided in support of its application for funding from the Transitional Assistance Fund was incomplete and they had to send in more detailed information," said Mr Gallen. "CRHA remains concerned about services for older people across the region, including Waimarino, and we are constantly seeking to improve our purchase of services," he said. "However, we do not specifically fund feasibility studies and we are not able

to assist the trust in this way." Mr Peck expressed amazement at Mr Gallen' s response, saying the trust had been asked to lodge the application four times. "Not one word has ever been communicated to the trust with regard to what Mr Gallen has stated," countered Mr Peck. He said the response is Turn to Page 2

"RHA incompetent" - rest home trust

FROM PAGE 1 more puzzling because the CRHA requested that the trust apply for the funds. "In October 1995 the CRHA stated very, very clearly at the largest public meeting ever held in the Waimarino on health, thatthey had more money than they knew what to do with to apply to the needs of the elderly ," said Mr Peck. He said the trust was encouraged by the CRHA regarding funds available to build a rest home. "At the very least, I am amazed at their total lack of communication skills in that they would reply (to the trust's various correspondence) through the press (Wanganui Chronicle, Friday 29 December). "I just feel the CRHA is incompetent," said Mr Peck.