Latest news with #NgātiPorouOranga
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick says funding will bring in-person urgent care closer to rural communities
'Health New Zealand would move quickly to begin discussions with the providers already in those areas to ensure services are in place, that they are supported to provide the services and that there is a clearer fee structure for everyone,' Kirkpatrick said. Iwi health provider Ngāti Porou Oranga has been approached for comment. Kirkpatrick said a more sustainable approach to providing rural urgent and after-hours care was needed. 'The current model, which often depends on rural GPs being on call 24/7, was unsustainable and placed significant strain on an already overstretched workforce. 'The investment will provide more sustainable funding and targeted support to help these clinicians continue delivering timely, quality healthcare in their communities.' Kirkpatrick said the Government's Health Infrastructure Plan, released in April, included 'some relief in sight for Tairāwhiti'. A new rural hub for better diagnostics, ambulatory treatment, birthing, acute and sub-acute care and a new urban ambulatory hub operated by Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora were planned between 2025 and 2029 in Tairāwhiti. The Gisborne Hospital redevelopment was planned between 2030 and 2034, Kirkpatrick said. 'We know that this, on its own, won't fix the challenges in the health system in their entirety – but it is one of the building blocks we have put in place.'
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
On The Up: East Coast celebrates reopening of Te Puna Wai birthing unit
The formal welcoming committee for the celebration of the reopening of Te Puia maternity birthing unit, now officially renamed Te Puna Wai, features (from left) Ngāti Porou Oranga (NPO) cultural adviser Eru Wharehinga, retired Te Puia Hospital service manager Georgina Paerata, general manager – Nāti Pēpi Maternity and Infant Service Caroline Thompson, NPO kaumātua Tuta Haereroa, kaumātua Bill Blane, Reverend Connie Ferris, kaumātua Elder Te Reo and kaumātua Peggy Kerr. Ngāti Porou Oranga has proudly celebrated the reopening of its new birthing unit after the original was closed after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. The original Te Puia Hospital maternity birthing unit is now known as Te Puna Wai - the Spring of
NZ Herald
01-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Tairāwhiti restores weekend urgent care with new GP service
'As always, those with medical emergencies should go directly to Gisborne Hospital's Emergency Department or call 111 for an ambulance.' Brown said improving access to doctors and nurses was a key priority for this Government. 'We're taking action to make sure the people of Tairāwhiti can get the care they need – when and where they need it,' he said. 'Urgent care and after-hours services are vital for people with non-life-threatening conditions who still need prompt medical attention but cannot wait until the next day to be seen. 'This new service will both restore and expand access to urgent care on weekends and public holidays in the region, with weekday after-hours services to be added as workforce capacity allows.' He said this service was also about easing pressure on Gisborne Hospital's emergency department during weekends and public holidays. 'It allows emergency teams to focus on life-threatening conditions, while people with less urgent needs can get timely care in the community.' Brown said Gisborne Hospital had a relatively high number of presentations that were triaged as lower-acuity categories – four and five – compared to other hospitals across the country. 'Many of these patients will be better served through this new community-based urgent care option. 'I'm pleased that Health New Zealand, in partnership with the Te Rōpū Matua collective through Ngāti Porou Oranga, is able to provide the people of Tairāwhiti certainty and reassurance that after-hours care will be available now and into the future. 'This is all part of the Government's plan to ensure New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare.' The chair of Te Rōpū Matua Rina Kerekere said it was really excited to have the new service announced. 'We have really been dedicated to creating long-term and sustainable healthcare solutions for all our whānau and community, for everyone in Tairāwhiti,' Kerekere said. 'Our approach prioritises whānau-centre[d] care, ensuring healthcare is accessible, equitable and easily aligned with needs of all our people.'
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Weekend Urgent Care Service Launched In Tairāwhati
Hon Simeon Brown Minister of Health Access to urgent healthcare on weekends will be restored in Tairāwhati this Saturday (3 May 2025) with the launch of a new service, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced. 'Improving access to doctors and nurses is a key priority for this Government. We're taking action to make sure the people of Tairāwhiti can get the care they need – when and where they need it,' Mr Brown says. 'Urgent care and after-hours services are vital for people with non-life-threatening conditions who still need prompt medical attention but cannot wait until the next day to be seen. 'This new service will both restore and expand access to urgent care on weekends and public holidays in the region, with weekday after-hours services to be added as workforce capacity allows.' The upgraded service replaces the previous arrangements between general practices with extended weekend hours and the addition of public holidays, and will be delivered from Ngāti Porou Oranga at Puhi Kaiti Medical Centre, 75 Huxley Road. It will include: A walk-in or phone-first service with access to a nurse, nurse practitioner, or doctor A local nurse-led phone line operating during the same hours as the clinic Health navigation services to help patients access the right care. As always, those with medical emergencies should go directly to Gisborne Hospital's Emergency Department or call 111 for an ambulance. 'This service is also about easing pressure on Gisborne Hospital's emergency department during weekends and public holidays. It allows emergency teams to focus on life-threatening conditions, while people with less urgent needs can get timely care in the community. 'Gisborne Hospital has a relatively high number of presentations that are triaged as lower-acuity categories – four and five – compared to other hospitals across the country. Many of these patients will be better served through this new community-based urgent care option. 'I'm pleased that Health New Zealand, in partnership with the Te Rōpū Matua collective through Ngāti Porou Oranga, is able to provide the people of Tairāwhiti certainty and reassurance that after-hours care will be available now and into the future. 'This is all part of the Government's plan to ensure New Zealanders can access timely, quality healthcare,' Mr Brown says. Note: A rostered after-hours service agreement was in place between three of the four Gisborne based general practices, operating on Saturday and Sunday 8am – 12 pm, which ceased on 1 April 2024. The new service is called Tātai Whānau Tairawhiti After-Hours Healthcare and will be open Saturday and Sunday 9am – 5pm, and and public holidays 9am – 5pm. The clinic is based at Ngāti Porou Oranga, Puhi Kaiti Medical Centre, 75 Huxley Road. For more information call 0800 TAATAI 0800 822824. The medical centre will continue to operate Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm separate to the urgent care service. Weekday after-hours services will to be added as workforce capacity increases. Those with medical emergencies should still go directly to Gisborne Hospital's emergency department or call 111 for an ambulance during weekday after-hours.
