Letters Friday 28 May 2010
Integrated community health centre
The following facts strongly disagree with the IMG’s GBW 21/5 response of “no meaningful correlations” between GB Community Health Centre and Murchison Hospital and Health Centre. GB residents may be gobsmacked at this evasive remark.
Meaningful correlations between GBCHC and MHHC integrated health services: no proper needs assessment for best healthcare options; primary and aged-care health services forced relocation; business plans with excessively leveraged mortgaged debt; debt collateralised with independent community-owned facilities; nurses and support staff reduced; funded through MoH with the same central government budget restraints.
In light of the reduction in health funding increases in the recently announced 2010 central government budget, IMG’s repayment of $7,621,884.18 mortgage debt is seriously in question. Ian Powell of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said on TVNZ that health professionals are warning of cuts in services. District health boards are already over $100,000,000 short of what they need to maintain services at existing levels, let alone improve them. Health professionals are warning of cuts in services, saying they can’t be maintained at current levels with the funding provided in the budget.
IMG, please respond with facts, not generalised platitudes, and kindly sign author’s name.
Ro Piekarski for GB MORE
Peter Burton, on behalf of IMG responds:
a. Without integration Joan Whiting will close with the associated loss of services and jobs, and that will impact on the service provided by the community hospital.
b. We repeat, no meaningful correlations can be drawn between Murchison and the IMG proposal for Golden Bay. Murchison is a DHB “owned and operated” service. It is proposed in Golden Bay the services be run by Nelson Bays Primary Health and the building be owned and operated by a community trust.
c. We repeat, the business case recognises the tight fiscal position, in which we all need to operate, which in fact makes the case for integration even stronger, if we want to keep the current range of health services in Golden Bay.
Track to Ballroom Cave
I wish to thank all the people who contributed to raising over $1000 as a donation to DOC as an incentive for them to fund work needed to make the 4WD access track to the Ballroom Cave drivable. I wish to acknowledge the generous contribution made by Nelson Tasman Tourism, which realises that any improvement to access free, natural feature visitor attractions is of economic benefit to our tourism marketing.
When this work is completed I hope we can have a celebratory function in the Ballroom Cave with people, who found the walking track a challenge, now able to drive there in their 4WD vehicles. By request the 4WD account at BNZ Takaka will be held open indefinitely so that other contributors may add to this fund.
Reg Turner
Psycho porn funk lounge band
Whilst perusing the pages of your excellent publication this week I happened to glance at the upcoming events advertisement for the Mussel Inn. Saturday 5 June caught my eye. I wonder if you could enlighten me as to exactly type of music a pyscho porn funk lounge band plays.
Yours in some confusion
Les B Avenue,
Chairman, GB 60’s rock Appreciation Society
Reply from Homer Sequential, Head of the Mussel Inn entertainment booking department: We may not be able to enlighten you to your satisfaction as this only information the band would give us. Nevertheless, we are all getting rather excited about the upcoming show here at the Mussel Inn.
Innovative ideas
The green painted circles in the library carpark are a refreshing idea and I’m pleased that TDC is considering ‘softer’ options as opposed to more costly speed humps or further ugly signage. I applaud any efforts to promote calmer driving and lessen visual pollution. If we could pay locals like Chris Finlayson to do the council-approved work, all the better! It’s unfortunate the Smiths had an incident but I tripped over the humps before the circles were there - and there is a simple aesthetic solution if TDC is interested.
I feel fortunate to live in a community considered to be open, innovative and progressive by outsiders. We are so used to solutions being complex and costing a lot that sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees when it comes to visionary new ideas. Simple, inexpensive, effective ideas are coming to the fore every day – let’s at least give them a go before dismissing them.
Another bouquet to Motupipi School for their eminently sensible and fun exercise workouts for staff and pupils before school each day. As the mother of a creative “dyslexic” child who struggles to sit still and focus in the unnatural environment of a seated classroom I welcome such positive initiatives.
Martine Bouillir
Calling all filmmakers
allshorts NZ short film and music video festival is now calling for submissions. This Golden Bay-grown festival is now in its fifth great year. We invite you to submit your 10-minute-or-less film by 30 September 2010.
allshorts is not-for-profit and is free to enter for any New Zealand residents. allshorts will screen on Saturday 30 October at The Village Theatre in Takaka. Check out our website www.allshorts.org.nz for entry forms and details.
Paddy Brennan
Takaka Memorial Library
Now that winter has arrived we are no longer run off our feet in the library. A certain calm prevails. To ward off the winter blues we would like to organise a series of lunchtime talks/concerts – perhaps every Friday for four to six weeks.
But we need speakers/performers/entertainers. Please if you have any ideas about subject matter, people you would like to hear or if you have something you could offer yourself, contact Tish or one of the library staff – 525 0059.
We have a lovely warm community space and would like to make sure it is well used.
Tish Potter – Branch Librarian
Correction
Leigh Gamby and Martine Bouillir are both on the Golden Bay panel for Nelson Restorative Justice.
