Health shuttle funded for one year
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Funding to run the Buller health shuttle has been granted for one year.
The shuttle was provided by the Buller branch of the Red Cross from 2012, to transport people 100 kilometres from Westport to Greymouth for medical appointments.
It operated with support from Buller REAP, which co-ordinated patient requested bookings.
"The Red Cross are transitioning away from providing this and similar community transport that they have run throughout the country; the Buller service being the last in the process," a planning and funding update to the West Coast DHB advisory group said this week.
The Buller service was taken on by St John at the beginning of this month and is now known as the Kawatiri Health Shuttle.
"The service has been invaluable to those people who have faced transport issues over the years, and with St John now picking up service provision this is very much welcomed."
The Kawatiri service was funded for one year at this stage, based on Ministry of Health advice given to the board based on the transition to the new health system, DHB staffer Ben Hingston said.
They were "confident" the service would be sustainable beyond the transition period.
St John already operates a similar service in the Grey district and between Hokitika and Greymouth.
Board member Anita Halsall-Quinlan, of Westport, said it appeared the service was being run based on staff availability and asked if there were set days and times it would be available so it retained a broad reach into the community.
Hingston said St John would try to match accessibility to the shuttle with patient appointment times, "but there are no set times".
Board member Helen Gillespie noted it would be reliant on St John being able to co-ordinate volunteer drivers and Hingston said it would be up to that organisation to facilitate the availability of volunteer drivers.
The service would continue to operate at no cost to passengers.
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Meanwhile, increased funding has enabled the West Coast District Health Board to double capacity of the Poutini Waiora-led kaupapa Maori Well Child Tamariki Ora services.
A report to the board's advisory group this week said increased funding had meant it would be able to increase staffing from a 0.5 full time equivalent position to almost fulltime, from the beginning of next month.
"The increase in funding will contribute to improved equity of access to kaupapa Maori services for whanau living across the West Coast."
The previous funding level had limited Poutini Waiora's ability to provide a comprehensive service to whanau.
It was expected the additional staffing would improve Poutini Waiora's capacity to deliver Kaupapa Maori Well Child Tamariki Ora services to more whanau and enable "more intensive support" to those already engaged in the service.
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Public health funded 'health improvement practitioners' and health coaches will be soon starting work at medical practices in Hokitika and Greymouth.
A report to this week's DHB advisory group said the West Coast Primary Health Organisation's first round of recruitment for the Integrated General Practice Primary Mental Health and Addictions Service had been successful enough to cover practices in the two towns.
Practitioners and coaches would work as part of general practice teams providing people with "immediate support and tools" for wellbeing.
The first practitioner and coach began work at the Westland Medical Centre on May 23.
Additional practitioners would be joining Coastal Health and the Te Nikau Health Centre in Greymouth on completion of their training in July and August.
Recruitment had commenced for the role in Buller.
Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.5% Yes
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32.9% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.