The Wakatipu Health Trust is holding two community health
forums later this month.
Trust spokeswoman Maria Cole said the Southland District
Health Board and the trust would present their ideas on how
Queenstown's health service could be improved and invite
feedback.
It would give the community the chance to debate the issues
in an independent setting, she said.
The health board held two public meetings last week on its
proposals to revamp health services in Queenstown.
Mrs Cole said the meetings were poorly attended and those
that did attend were mostly senior citizens.
"We need to attract a broader sector of the community," she
said.
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Clive Geddes would open the forum.
Southland and Otago district health boards chief executive
Brian Rousseau would give a presentation on the new proposed
model of care.
Health consultant Chris Fraser would present the findings of
his Queenstown health needs assessment, commissioned by the
trust last year.
It would be chaired by Waitaki District Health Services
chairman George Berry.
Mrs Cole said after the presentations the meeting would break
into smaller groups led by moderators to discuss the issues
and come up with solutions.
It would be aimed at further understanding the issues
involved and deal with some of the mystique surrounding how
health services were provided.
"The DHB is proposing a radical shake-up of health care.
A lot of people don't understand how the health system
works," she said.
The trust was advocating for community governance, retention
of an upgraded Lakes District Hospital, increased range of
clinical services and fairer allocation of health funding.
Two forums will be held on March 27, from 9.30am to 11.30am
and 2pm to 4pm, at the City Impact Church, Frankton.
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