Equitable healthcare 'achievable'

If Queenstown people wanted increased access to healthcare, they needed to get involved in public meetings on the subject, Wakatipu Heath Trust project manager Maria Cole said.

Mrs Cole and health consultant Chris Fraser last week told the Southland District Health Board that Queenstown residents were getting only about half the health services of similar sized centres in Otago and Southland.

Mr Fraser had prepared a Queenstown health needs assessment for the Wakatipu Health Trust, which he presented to the board.

There was no reason why equitable access to healthcare could not be achieved over time and that could be helped by public participation in meetings to be held in Queenstown on March 27, he said yesterday.

Mrs Cole said attendance was poor at previous meetings held to gauge public interest in proposed healthcare changes for Queenstown. It was hoped there would be a greater level of community participation at the next meeting.

"A very small amount of people relative to the size of the community that will be affected by any health changes were there."

The meetings, to be held at Queenstown's City Impact Church, had been planned for months and were designed to ensure the maximum attendance by people across all age groups, Mrs Cole said.

"This is a chance to shape the future of healthcare in Queenstown and have input into how it happens. People should realise it is their taxes, their hospital and their choice, and should attend."

The meetings would not be "just a talk fest" and would include audience participation in focus groups headed by high-profile Queenstown community members who would act as moderators independent of the trust, Mrs Cole said.

They will cover healthcare issues related to maternity services, elderly care services, accident and emergency services and outpatient services.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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