Slow progress hobbles health centre

Financial constraints have delayed progress on a muchneeded health project for Palmerston North.

A service for the southern and western parts of the city, including Cloverlea, West End and Takaro, is still a long way off and may not involve bricks and mortar.

Midcentral District Health Board has admitted a lack of money has hobbled progress, but says this is no longer a problem.

But, officials sa,y planning is taking time and needs to be done properly to make sure the result is what the community needs.

That may not be the construction of a physical building, either.

Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-galloway said Midcentral’s financial situation was playing a part in the planning.

‘‘The fact that the DHB is struggling financially, it does have some restraints on the project, which is a bit of a shame.

‘‘We know a good quality health service saves money [in the long run]. But it requires investment in the short term.’’

Midcentral did not have a lot of leeway, which was frustrating for all involved, Lees-galloway said.

However, he was pleased work was not being rushed.

‘‘We always knew there was going to be a long timeframe for this project. It is important it is done properly.’’

Lees-galloway said there was not an ‘‘off-the-shelf option’’.

‘‘I don’t think simply replicating The Palms or Kauri Healthcare is appropriate for that community.’’

During a meeting hosted by Lees-galloway earlier in the year, local residents said they struggled to get access to healthcare

Midcentral strategy, planning and performance general manager Craig Johnston said work had been delayed early on.

‘‘But it is now underway and financial factors are not having a significant impact on progress at this stage.’’

Projects such as this could take a long time and depended on organisations working together.

‘‘Their success or failure depends on the strength of the relationships between the participants.’’

Southern Suburb Development project manager Ali Hamlinpaenga said they were in the ‘‘early stages of a long journey’’.

‘‘We don’t want to create a fix. We’re not looking for a plaster.’’

Hamlin-paenga said they were not necessarily looking at setting up a healthcare facility. Instead, they might try enhancing existing services and working on educating the community, she said.