Home health service undaunted by office damage

1:16 pm on 9 September 2010

Rural Women New Zealand's Access Home Health service has kept going, despite its office in central Christchurch being seriously damaged in the earthquake.

The chief executive, Graeme Titcombe, says that's been possible by using its national network and some volunteer help.

Mr Titcombe says Access Home Health, one of the two biggest providers in the country, will probably need to find new permanent accommodation in Christchurch, because the chances of being able to return to its damaged office don't look great.

The Rural General Practice Network is also helping with efforts to provide back-up and relief for medical services in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The network's chairperson, Kirsty Murrell-McMillan, is based in Southland, but was attending an annual meeting of GPs in Christchurch when the quake struck.

She says medical services have been coping, even though some of their facilities suffering serious damage.