Long-term look at East Coast health services

Long-term look at East Coast health services
Wednesday 9 July 2014 Tairawhiti District Health www.tdh.org.nz

A review into how health services are provided on the East Coast is continuing.

Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou, Ngati Porou Hauora and Tairawhiti District Health are working together to improve the health of people on the coast and their access to services.

“We know there are opportunities to deliver better health outcomes on the East Coast to work more efficiently,” says Tairawhiti District Health Chief Executive Jim Green.

“We are now at the next stage of the review into East Coast health services. We have considered initial feedback but now need more information. It is important people understand that no decisions have been made. The conversation is ongoing and all three organisations are listening. There will be opportunities for East Coast people to have a look at proposals and provide feedback in August before the proposals go to the three boards for consideration, and then again in October once the three boards have considered the second and final report that is being prepared now.

Feedback from the community in 2013 highlighted that people want to keep community health clinics on the Coast. They are working well. The next stage is to look at the best model for East Coast health services using the existing community clinics.

The need for a central, fit-for-purpose base to support the clinics was also highlighted in the community feedback. This is most likely to be at Te Puia Springs but a feasibility study is required. The study will focus on maternity care, aged care and long term beds. It will also consider seismic issues at Te Puia. A unique aspect of the review is the expert advisory group, including three rural based doctors, who will provide an independent, external view on options presented.

“We need to be thinking about the future and how we can create a fit-for-purpose community health hub that meets the needs of unique East Coast communities.” says Ngati Porou Hauora Chief Executive Rose Kahaki.

While the three boards have agreed that no decisions are being made at this stage in regards to the main centre of health services on the Coast, or about what sort of facility is there, they are committed to obtaining more in-depth information so these decisions can be made this year.

The project plan from consultants Saphere Research Group and a series of questions and answers are available on the websites of the three partner organisations.
Long-term look at East Coast health services
http://www.nph.org.nz/
http://www.ngatiporou.com/

ENDS

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