Mayor happy health forum to reconvene

South Taranaki’s mayor says the continuation of a long-running community forum on medical matters is vital to ensure the district’s voice isn’t lost in the new health system.

Phil Nixon is pleased that Taranaki ki te Tonga Health Forum will soon meet again after a year-long hiatus.

Nixon is current chairperson of the group, formed in 2012, that has regularly brought together community representatives and health professionals – including GP service providers, Hāwera Hospital managers and senior Taranaki District Health Board managers – to share information, identify issues and put forward possible solutions.

The group last met in October 2021, but its next meeting will likely be before the end of the year.

Gillian Campbell, Te Whatu Ora – Taranaki interim district director, said the pause in meetings was not due to the health reforms.

‘‘It is due to a variety of reasons over the last 12 months including health providers being focused on the community Covid-19 response,’’ she said.

‘‘The South Taranaki ki te Tonga Health Forums have always been, and will continue to be, a valuable space for us to engage with the South Taranaki community.’’

Nixon said he was relieved the forum meetings would be starting again, to ensure the grassroots connection wasn’t lost in the new centralised system.

‘‘It brings together all the health organisations working in our district, it gives us a bit of strength if we need to challenge the Government, to find the best outcome for us here in South Taranaki.’’

When community members marched through town in 2019 after rumours the hospital’s ED was to close, the forum facilitated a meeting between the public and the TDHB.