Rangitikei District Council

Good Access to Health Services

Chair: Julie Nitschke - Strategic Development Manager, Whanganui Regional Public Health Organisation

Good access to health services was identified as a top concern for residents in the Rangitikei. Within this theme the group is focusing on the following issues:

• Staff recruitment and retention
• Collaboration towards continuity of care
• Empowering communities and families using effective models such as Whanau Ora

The actions the group is currently pursuing are intended to address these issues.

The Access to Health Services Theme Group has provided an avenue for partner agencies to specifically resource individual staff to take part in various networking forums, particularly the Regional Community Response Model Forum. As a result, the Ministry for Social Development has recently approved grants, one for Marton-based social service agencies and one for Taihape-based social service agencies, to investigate a model for service delivery in each area that will improve the services available for local residents. The initial feasibility reports from these projects which formed the basis for further work can be accessed through the following links:

Marton Connections Steering Group - Report to the Whanganui/Taranaki Community Response Model Forum (30 March 2012)

Taihape Connections Steering Group - Report to the Whanganui/Taranaki Community Response Model Forum (30 March 2012)

The group links to the Southern Rangitikei health network (meets 12.30pm on the third Monday of the month at the Health Centre, Blackwell Street, Marton) and the Taihape networking meeting (meets 12.30pm first Wednesday of the month at the Town Hall in Taihape). All pubic and community service providers are welcome.

If you think there is a way you or your organisation to contribute to the actions or goal, please do not hesitate to contact either the chair of the group or Denise Servante at the Rangitikei District Council.