But the NZ Nurses Organisation said the proposed changes were risky, badly-timed, and would depend too much on an unregulated, community-based workforce. Manawatū-based union organiser Donna Ryan and professional nurse adviser Wendy Blair said they were concerned about the quality and continuity of care for some 600 clients already in the service. “And the timing is really poor,” said Ryan. The switch to a more community-based service would be phased in over four years, but recently- announced health reforms indicate the district health boards will themselves be gone next year. Ryan said it would seem unwise to persevere with the overhaul in one district in light of the health reforms’ purpose to see health services that were equitable across the regions.
Palmerston North hospital upgrade: construction yet to start msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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Owen and Carey Hume say district health boards provided a forum for local voices to have a say about health services.
A couple who campaigned for improvements to MidCentral Health’s mental health facilities are worried about the demise of district health boards in the Government’s health reforms. The Government announced this week all 20 boards with a mix of appointed and democratically-elected members would be disbanded, their powers transferred to one central body, Health New Zealand. Bay of Plenty couple Owen and Carey Hume’s daughter Erica died in 2014 after being an in-patient at Palmerston North Hospital’s mental health ward.
Health groups poised to launch into reforms stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.