Support builds for health centre plan
A new health centre proposed for Mapua has received strong community support.
More than 80 people attended a public meeting last week about the proposed centre, which was first mooted by GP Tim Phillips and retired Mapua businessman Dale Vercoe. A group of residents had formed a ‘‘think tank’’ to co-ordinate ideas. Member Graeme Stradling said the think tank participants were elated by the meeting.
‘‘We had a really encouraging group of people turning up including lots of healthcare professionals who like the idea of a community-based facility,’’ Stradling said. ‘‘The timing looks good.’’
Seven work streams had been identified including community engagement and the structure of the governing body for the proposed centre, a likely charitable trust.
‘‘Then we’ll have a body to start to raise some funds,’’ Stradling said.
Talks would continue with the Jack Inglis Friendship Hospital in Motueka about ‘‘the parameters of our relationship there’’. There was also interest in looking at the model for a small hospice in Marlborough.
There was enough ‘‘resource in people and enthusiasm’’ to create ‘‘something really positive’’ at Mapua, Stradling said.
‘‘We’re looking for eminent people who would want to be part of it.’’
Vercoe has made part of his property off Mapua Drive available for the development. Initial draft concept plans include a building of about 41m by 13.5m that would sit below Vercoe’s house. However, those plans were subject to change depending on what services the community decided it wanted at the centre.
When he launched the plan, Phillips said the health system in New Zealand did not have enough resources, nor did it have enough mid-career GPs to replace those retiring in the next 10 years.
The health system would not be able to ‘‘meet the health needs of our community’’.
‘‘I think we need to be very conscious as a community that this is going to get worse, not better,’’ he said.
Stradling said it was likely to be six months before the core group would be looking at a feasibility study for the proposed centre.