MEDIA RELEASE

EMBARGOED UNTIL 1PM TUESDAY 29 JUNE 1999

Hon Wyatt Creech

Minister of Health

29 June 1999

Opportunity To Have A Say Over New Hospital In Wellington

The Minister of Health today announced the membership of a Technical Advisory Group to consult over the new hospital in Wellington.

"The group will help lead the public consultation exercise over the next six weeks and provide advice to help the final decision making process," Mr Creech said.

"While the membership is for the greater part medical to reflect the group's technical nature, four non-technical appointments have been made to balance the input.

"Over the next six weeks there will be a range of public meetings, briefings and focus groups to help augment the other public submissions being encouraged."

The advisory group members are:

Dr Colin Feek (Convener) Chief Advisor Medical, Ministry of Health

Dr Tony Ruakere Chief Advisor, Maori Health, Ministry of Health

Dr Sandy Dawson Health Advisor, Health Funding Authority

Dr Phil White General Practitioner, Kapiti Medical Centre

Professor Linda Holloway Dean, Otago Medical School

Ms Anne Allen-Moetaua Consultant, Pacific Health

Andrew Erueti Lecturer in Law, Victoria University

Trevor Roberts Solicitor

Bob Francis Mayor Masterton District Council

Sue Driver Chairperson, Wellington Museum Trust

"The members of the group will explain the proposal at open public meetings held locally, public presentations to be given in regional centres, as well as focus groups, and one-on-one briefings. Times and locations of meetings will be released shortly.

"People have until August 9 to express their views about what a new public hospital in Wellington should look like, where it should be and other issues that want to raise. This feedback will be analysed and advice provided by early September so final decisions can be made and work started on a business case, design and construction," Mr Creech said.

ENDS

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