It comes after recent announcements the town, which is about four hours’ drive from Dunedin Hospital, could lose its particular rural funding status for GP and urgent after-hours care due to its population increase.
Labour MP Damien O'Connor has also sent a letter to Mr Brown asking for the government to reconsider the situation and speak to the health professionals in the town.
‘‘This is a high-growth region that faces a lot of pressure right now and it’s absolutely important that things are sorted equitably,’’ Mr O'Connor said.
‘‘We don't want a situation where, through a change in the rural funding scheme, Wānaka ends up worse off.’’
A copy of the letter has been obtained by the Otago Daily Times.
‘‘I am particularly concerned that the proposed reclassification appears to rely heavily on population measures and does not adequately recognise the realities of healthcare access in the Upper Clutha.
‘‘The absence of local hospital services, the travel times required to access secondary care, and the demands placed on local providers by a rapidly growing population must all be taken into account.’’
Mr O'Connor’s letter also asks for Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora to reconsider the timeframe for the GPs’ vote on the funding proposal, with the deadline remaining late today, and that HNZ representatives should meet directly with Wānaka’s health providers.
The ODT asked Mr Brown’s office a series of questions about whether he was aware of the Wānaka situation and whether he planned to meet Health Action Wānaka members and the local GPs, and received a short response from a spokeswoman.
‘‘This is an in-principle agreement between Health New Zealand and the primary care sector. Negotiations are ongoing and should be done in good faith - not entered into via the media.
‘‘Please contact Health New Zealand for anything further.’’
‘‘I wouldn't describe it as litigating through the media, I would describe it as raising valid concerns for the community that has historically not had access to equitable health services, and still does not have a sustainable urgent care and after-hours service.
‘‘It's pretty understandable when the medical practices express their concerns and suggest that maybe by the first of July we won't have an after-hours service, I think it's completely understandable that people would want to raise awareness in their community and beyond.
"That is the channel that we've got to raise awareness.’’
Ms Mayze said contrary to Mr Brown’s assertion, she was unaware of any ‘‘negotiations’’ with Wānaka health practices and HNZ.
HNZ acting director of funding Martin Hefford said the proposed change to rural funding allocation would not proceed unless it was supported by primary care providers.
‘‘Health New Zealand is considering sector feedback on the proposed offer, and working with PHO Services Agreement Amendment Protocol to consider how the offer could be improved to reflect feedback received.’’
