8 Dec 2011

Wairoa mayor says new healthcare model long overdue

7:45 pm on 8 December 2011

The Hawke's Bay District Health Board holds the last in a series of community consultation meetings on Thursday night to discuss a revamp of health services in Wairoa, which will see them integrated on one site.

The board has committed $5 million to a new model of health care which will be more whanau centred.

Wairoa district mayor Les Probert says a change in the way the services are provided is long overdue.

He says there are looming health issues for residents in the district, more than 60% of whom are Maori, and having more whanau oriented services will be of huge benefit.

Mr Probert says having all them located at Wairoa hospital will be much more convenient for locals and those in outlying communities.