Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey (centre) and Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith (right) discuss rural health issues with North Canterbury mayors Craig Mackle (Kaikōura, left), Dan Gordon (Waimakariri) and Marie Black (Hurunui) at the Hanmer Springs Golf Club. Photo: LDR / David Hill
The future of two North Canterbury Hospitals was pushed squarely in the spotlight at a rural health meeting in Hanmer Springs on Monday.
Associate Minister of Health and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey visited North Canterbury as part of his ongoing rural health roadshow, including Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora Health NZ officials, health workers, and residents.
Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith, local mayors Marie Black (Hurunui), Craig Mackle (Kaikōura) and Dan Gordon (Waimakariri) and several councillors were also in the audience.
Gordon said the Oxford and Waikari hospitals played a valuable role in providing respite and end of life care, but the facilities were under-utilised and the buildings badly needed maintenance.
"We would like to have some indication on their future. If they were more broadly open we would find they would be better utilised."
Health NZ Waitaha Canterbury rural health services hospital and specialist services general manager Berni Marra said she looked forward to ''getting back round the table'' with the mayors to discuss the future of the rural hospitals.
Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network chief executive Grant Davidson, who chaired the meeting, said New Zealand had made progress with the adoption of a rural health strategy supported by all parties in Parliament.
But rural health outcomes continue to trail behind urban communities, with twice as preventable deaths and 60 percent more suicides.
Black said there needed to be more support for support workers caring for elderly in their own homes.
Health NZ Canterbury West Coast group manager integration Greg Hamilton said Health NZ is working with healthcare providers to review how they can better serve clients across the South Island.
"Rather than just coming in and doing the dishes or doing the cleaning, the focus is now on re-enabling people to achieve the best life they can."
He said the priority is supporting people to stay in their own homes.
Mr Doocey said Mrs Black had raised concerns about a lack of ''wellbeing funding'' alongside more specialist mental health services, which had led to more funding to support rural communities, including a recent boost to rural support trusts.
Support for young people including accessing mental health services, support for LGBT+ youth, driver licenses, finding work, cyberbullying and a lack of access to ultra-fast broadband in rural areas were also raised as wellbeing issues.
Other concerns included access to training for health workers in rural practises, support for migrants, and a lack of awareness of what services are available in rural areas.
Doocey said addressing ''unmet need'' was not just about more funding, but also education on ''what is available''.
* LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
