National Health Committee meeting

May 13, 2005

Media Release

Health issues facing Mäori and those living in rural and isolated communities will be the key themes for discussion when the National Health Committee meets in Gisborne for two days next week. The visit will provide the committee with an opportunity to hear first hand about the innovative health initiatives developed in the Tairawhiti region.

The National Health Committee (NHC) provides independent advice to the Minister of Health on public-funded health and disability support services. Meetings are generally held in Wellington but as part of the committee’s programme of consultation with stakeholders its May meeting will be held in the Tairawhiti District Health area. Committee members will also hold discussions with Tairawhiti health and disability support service representatives.

National Health Committee Chair, Robert Logan said that the NHC regularly visits different parts of the country as part of its remit to consult widely with people in the health and disability sector. By hearing from local people and groups, the committee hopes to gain information for its current projects as well as ideas for future areas of work.

He said: “It is important to get the views of people and communities from outside of Wellington and to canvass the issues that people face in different parts of the country.”

The NHC has a sub-committee, the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) which advises the Minister of Health on issues regarding public health. The PHAC will hold a health forum with local public health representatives. The committees will also meet with Tairawhiti District Health’s Disability Services Advisory Committee and the Community and Public Health Advisory Committee.

ENDS

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