Rangiora after hours healthcare meeting called
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
North Canterbury residents may soon get some answers about the future of after hours healthcare in the region.
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand has accepted an invitation from Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey to appear at a public meeting in Rangiora on Thursday, April 27.
Doocey called the meeting in response to community concerns at the lack of progress on promised public health services at the Rangiora Health Hub.
The former Canterbury District Health Board announced in December 2020 its intention for an after hours facility to be operational by late 2022.
‘‘That date has come and gone and we’re now hearing it could be three years away, so it is important Health NZ comes back and answers the community’s questions,’’ Doocey said.
He said he hoped the meeting would provide some clarity around what hours the facility will operate and what services would be provided when it eventually opened.
‘‘I will be keen to hear what healthcare services can be fast-tracked and what can be put in place in the interim.’’
Te Whatu Ora entered into an agreement with South Link Health Services Group in 2020 to develop a family health and urgent care centre
at the Rangiora Health Hub.
‘‘This agreement is subject to several conditions,’’ a Te Whatu Ora spokesperson said.
‘‘Once these conditions have been met, South Link Health Services Group will be granted a ground lease and must complete this development with all reasonable speed.’’
The spokesperson referred questions about the progress of the project to South Link Health Services Group.
In the meantime, after hours provision in Rangiora included Durham Health being open Saturdays 9am to 12pm, telehealth GP consultation services through providers such as PracticePlus, and the St John nurse phone triage service.
Residents can access the triage service by calling their GP phoneline after-hours.
The Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery in Madras St, Christchurch, was also available to North Canterbury residents.
The Oxford Community Health Centre also provided after hours services to its registered clients, with a triage nurse and virtual GP
consultations.
Doocey launched a petition in November with Rangiora residents Sandi and David McLean, which he planned to present to Te Whatu Ora at the meeting.
South Link Health Services Group was also expected to be represented at the meeting.
Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
-
48.1% Yes
-
50% No
-
1.9% Other - I'll share below
Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Loading…
