Resident, retired surgeon and member of the Waikato DHB’s Community and Public Health Advisory Committee, Paul Malpass, said while he was anticipating the changes, he still had concerns. “There was talk about reducing the number of DHBs and creating a Maori Health authority … and a lot of care nearer to home, community care and bringing care to the people.
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Taumarunui Community Kokiri Trust CEO Christine Brears: “Let us strengthen and develop, so our communities are being delivered a service that is equal to that of an urban centre.” “I have to say we have been saying that for some time in Taumarunui. I am a bit concerned for the rural community in the sense Taumarunui township is 160km from Waikato (Hospital), so secondary services, tertiary services, are that far away and for some people even further … by and large it’s a poor community and access is a major issue for us.”