Primary and community healthcare service review

24 November 2006

Primary and community healthcare service review commences

Bay of Plenty District Health Board has commenced the process of community participation in the primary and community healthcare service review in the Eastern Bay.

The community participation process started this week with an initial meeting of Eastern Bay providers and an inaugural workshop to start the stocktake of current services and look at opportunities for enhancing services.

Grafton Group has been contracted by the health board to undertake the review.

The majority of the review participation process will include several working party meetings, in which the groups will look at issues primary and community healthcare is facing in the area and how to improve services that meet community need.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board Chief Executive Phil Cammish says the initial round of meetings went exceptionally well, with open and frank discussions regarding the future of primary and community healthcare in the Eastern Bay.

The review, expected to be completed in April next year, will then form the basis for the health board’s consultation on secondary service configuration.

Mr Cammish says the primary and community healthcare review re-affirms the health board’s open approach to this process and willingness to identify opportunities around service delivery and work towards implementing them.

“This is an inclusive process, and we look forward to working with stakeholders and the community to complete the review,” says Mr Cammish.

A wide group of stakeholders are participating in the process, including PHO representatives, GPs, Maori, local councils, and health board staff.

Grafton Group Consultant Ruth Whitehead says that the objective is then for representatives from these areas to take the ideas and discussions back to their community groups for further input.

Other members of the community not included in the workshop process are also welcome to participate in the review, and can contact Judy Mewburn on 09 358 9784 or email judy@grafton.co.nz for more information.

Three meeting sessions will take place at Whakatane, Murupara and Opotiki on December 4, 5, 20 and 21, and January 24 and 25.

ENDS

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