Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Concern Over Rural Health Services

The provision of adequate health services in rural areas is in crisis, say the mayors and chairs of all South Island local authorities.

They met for the first time since the 1989 local government amalgamation and today they expressed concern that rural doctors were not able to get adequate support through relieving doctors to provide after-hours services.

Dunedin’s Mayor, Sukhi Turner, said the mayors and chairs would be working with the Medical Association to support it in arranging adequate financing and to make more doctors available for locum services in the rural districts.

The meeting in Hanmer Springs covered a wide range of South Island issues. The main theme was about greater co-operation and collaboration among local authorities at all levels.

Mrs Turner said the meeting was initiated to promote the South Island and to draw upon the collective influence of civic leaders. The meeting had provided a forum to address concerns and to discuss innovative solutions to economic development and jobs; working with South Island iwi; and roading reforms.
Other topics were a water review, tourism, the alpine fault, and the local control of local communities.

Mrs Turner said the key outcome was a decision to hold a South Island economic development next year.

“We feel that all stakeholders in our communities should participate in the summit which would include local and central government, business, community organisations, and South Island iwi,” she said.

The alpine fault was regarded as another vital issue that affected all South Islanders. It was decided to promote discussions among emergency management groups and the Defence Forces.

The meeting decided that it was important to maintain the present community ownership and management of roads and water.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.