Quake health services to be extended?

New health services in the quakestricken regions of Kekerengu and Clarence have been well-received and may become more permanent, the region’s primary health organisation says.

A month ago the Marlborough Primary Health Organisation (PHO) took over services in Kekerengu and Clarence, after the areas were cut off from Kaikoura.

PHO chief executive Beth Tester said a doctor and a nurse were travelling between clinics in and Kekerengu and Clarence.

In Seddon, in southern Marlborough, health professionals were holding clinics twice a week.

Between 90 and 100 people had been seen in the clinics since they opened, Tester said.

‘‘Anyone who’s been seen is grateful they don’t have to travel too far,’’ she said.

The services in the area would be reassessed on January 24, Tester said, with the organisation looking at having regular clinics in Kekerengu and Clarence, once a fortnight.

‘‘We need to make sure it’s worth it,’’ Tester said.

Counsellors had also gone out to the clinics before Christmas, but they were not going out any longer, with doctors and nurses referring people to counsellors if required.

But Kaikoura GP Chris Henry, who lived in Clarence but had been cut off from his house since the earthquake, said he was not convinced enough was being done to help people in the area.

He was travelling to Clarence with other health professionals on Monday, along with a council delegation including Kaikoura Mayor Winston Gray, to see how things were going.

‘‘We’ve got to work really hard to meet that need. We need to be sure that services are being delivered as well as they should be,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m not convinced that we are doing enough at the moment.’’

The mental health situation after the quake was going to get worse before it got better, Henry said.

Clinics will be held in Clarence and Kekerengu on January 24, and in Seddon on January 12, 17, 19, 24, 26 and 31.

The clinics are held at Kekerengu Hall, the old Clarence school, and at Seddon Hall.