Health Plan heralds improvement

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 233, 1 March 1988, Page 1

Health Plan heralds improvement

The Wanganui Area Health Board's Draft Strategic Plan has opened the way for improvement of existing health facilities within the Waimarino. This is the message from the area's board representative Dorothy Scarrow, who addressed the Raetihi Borough Council at their meeting last week. Mrs Scarrow asked for the Borough's submis-

sions on the plan, the closing date for submissions having been extended to March 12. Mrs Scarrow said the plan is a very positive, on-going move of great benefit to the Waimarino. Based on the results of lengthy deliberations by a planning team of professionals, the plan looks objectively at existing health services with the Wanganui region and also at areas in need of improvement.

The emphasis is o n health promotion - the prevention aspect of health care in the community, rather than cure. An option open to the WAHB is a shift of emphasis within existing community services and upgrading some specialist services. Mrs Scarrow: "I see our hospitals becoming a centre for rural health with more nurses out in the community. Where possible and where

suitable I see the people being cared for in their own homes out in the community, supported by nurses from the hospital. "It is a well known fact that people return to full health much quicker if they are in an environment familiar to them." The Council voted to endorse the submissions put forward by the Waimarino Community Health Watch Committee at Turn top.2

Health plan heralds change

From p. 1 the meeting. The submissions relate to the areas of concern in the Waimarino: • The lack of transport between Waimarino and Wanganui Hospitals causes a major problem for people who need specialist care in Wanganui. • Population trends indicate that numbers in Raetihi and Ohakune are marginally up - hence facilities should not be downgraded. • The formulation of a rural health centre incorporating physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social worker, and improved accident and emergency service. • The addition of two children's bed to the general beds quota at Waimarino Hospital. • Establishment of a long-term geriatric care facility in the Waimarino. • Improved outpatient services for Waimarino patients visiting Wanganui Base Hospital. • Upgrading of the existing community health rooms in Raetihi. • Further opportunities for training ambulance staff and improved ambulance equipment. • Improved communication channels for people trying to contact emergency services and for ambulances in transit to Wanganui. • An accessible family planning service available for the younger age group. • Maori Health - More community health workers operating in the community. • Professional assessment, counselling and education in the area of substance abuse (glue, marijuana, alcohol) - a

serious problem in the Waimarino. • The formation of a birthing centre - an -alternative to maternity wards - at the Waimarino Hospital. • Accessibility to ultrasonic examination equipment and continuing accessibility to radiology services. • The appointment of an occupational health nurse within the Waimarino. • Continuing care of the elderly. • Improved community support/supervision service for mental health in the community. • Greater accessibility to Ear/Nose/Throat specialists, especially for children. The committee were in agreement with the Board's strategies on outpatient care, abor-

tion services and health promotion. Principal Nurse at Waimarino Hospital Eve Rush said moving the emphasis out into the community would cause few problems. "The emphasis will be out in the community where it should be," she said. the committee also put forward a list of priorities of health services as needed in the Waimarino. Top priorities include the provision of a rural health service which meets the community's needs, long-term geriatric and relative relief beds, substance abuse, health screening, birthing centre, accessibility, Maori health, community health centre, domiciliary care and ultrasonic examination.