Letter 30 July 2010
Medical centre fees
Thanks to Gerard for a fair and balanced article about medical centre fees. I would like to correct one thing – he quotes me as saying that Golden Bay has relatively high incomes – I recall saying the opposite! Golden Bay has some quite wealthy residents, but also many who struggle. Sometime in the past year, Andrew Swanson-Dobbs commented to me that we might qualify for low cost access funding; however, it seems that the new Government has now closed off this avenue. Perhaps we missed an opportunity. To me, this highlights the problem of doctors trying to provide medical care and also run a business – the business side tends to be neglected.
My cursory look at the PHO website reveals that Motueka GP practices must be on a different funding scale from us, ie they receive far more Government subsidy per registered patient. This reflects their population profile. Take them out of the equation, and whilst we are not the cheapest, we are not the most expensive either. I often consider Wakefield comparable to us, and their fees are remarkably similar.
When “capitated” funding (subsidy paid per registered patient per annum) was introduced, the Government acknowledged that some people would cross practice boundaries to register with low-cost practices. This was called “pepper potting”, for some reason. However, most people appreciate having local doctors whom they can see when they need to. The same applies to many services and businesses in Golden Bay.
As Andrew commented, the issue of fees and subsidies is complex. However, I might highlight one aspect. Provision of remote, rural health care is expensive. We have to provide a far more extensive range of services than do urban practices, with 24/7 availability. We provide a mini emergency department for Golden Bay. These services require equipment and, above all, staff. In the town or city, a practice of 5000 patients could run with three doctors, working 9 to 5. After that it’s city care; anything serious goes to ED. Not here. We need five doctors to cover daytime emergencies and after-hours cover.
Being PHO-owned will almost certainly allow us to access available funding better than before. But still, I would suggest that rather than just looking at cost, we should consider the value we place on a service.
Dr Struan Clark
Ed. Struan’s response to our article is longer than our 200-word limit for letters. This is an important issue and it deserved more space.
Gerard replies: Sorry if I interpreted you wrong, Struan. When researching this story I found there was much confusion about how exactly affluent, or not, Golden Bay collectively is. If you believe school funding deciles (such as that calculated for Collingwood Area School), we are all at the higher end of the earning scale. Demographics for medical funding may be interpreted differently, although, as with schools, I suspect it all depends who’s in Government. To atone for my misquote though, I am now researching a story that may hopefully shed some light on exactly how affluent us Golden Bay folk really are.
Multi-purpose sports facility
Thanks Peter Blasdale (Whakaaro 23/7) for starting the discussion regarding a multi-purpose sports facility in the Bay. This would benefit young and old and not just sporty types. Imagine a hydro therapy pool, a place for youth, scout hall, job creation and so much more.
Earlier this month I was inspired after hearing Jack Inglis speak about how Motueka community raised 12 million dollars for their new hospital.
Is it time for a feasibility study to be carried out to see if this really is an option for us? I would love to hear what others think.
Caroline Jones
The health of a community is said to be an indicator of how we treat our young and young at heart (Whakaaro 23/7). Congratulations to Peter Blasdale for enunciating the growing body of thought in our community around sporting facilities.
There is very strong growth among a wide demographic of the not-so-silent majority that we need to co-operate to make the Bay of the future a healthy one. Let us be known for our outdoor pursuits and provide the indoor facilities to accomodate all sports, be it on land or in the water - year-round swimming. I for one am happy to step up to make this happen. Come out to a public meeting with Lloyd Kennedy of TDC to see where to from here. Watch for the advert in the Weekly.
Ann Jones
Pohara Pedestrian and Pedlar Promenade
The Golden Bay Community Board is holding a community event on Sunday 8 August 2010 commencing at 2pm to celebrate the completion of the Pohara Walkway/Cycleway.
The event will start with an opening ceremony at the western end of the path (the small reserve opposite The Penguin) and then participants have the opportunity to walk/cycle to the Pohara Hall for refreshments of tea, coffee or hot water.
In the best Golden Bay country tradition, participants are requested to “bring a plate” to share.
The completion of this path has arrived after a long gestation. It is great that it has been finished taking into account community concerns about preserving coastal vegetation and rock formations, along with the band rotunda.
The construction period also had to take into account the habits and habitat of the little blue penguin.
The Golden Bay community is invited to share this special occasion.
Joe Bell, chairperson, Golden Bay Community Board
TDC takes every opportunity to undermine the good work of our community board. TDC nominated themselves in the Best Practice Walking Facility category of the 2010 Golden Foot Awards for the newly finished Pohara sea wall and shared path.
They have been selected as a finalist because of the excellent consultation process with the community. While TDC are mopping up praise for this project, congratulations and thanks should go to GB Community Board who ensured that TDC engineers attended public meetings in Golden Bay and listened to the community needs through public meetings organised by the board. Thanks to the community board’s insistence, the walkway has struck a balance acceptable to our community. So thanks community board, we do appreciate your efforts.
Paddy Brennan
Ambulance history
With reference to Gerard Hindmarsh’s article (GBW 23/7) regarding ambulances.
Before 1946, the Nelson ambulance came over the Takaka Hill to Golden Bay to pick up patients.
During the war my father made a fast trip in his 1939 Chev in the middle of the night taking his cousin Douglas Winton, who had appendicitis, from Upper Takaka to Nelson Hospital. Petrol was rationed during the war, although farmers with a petrol tractor were allowed a generous supply so were in a position to answer emergencies.
Mac Harwood
Save money and grow better food
Our organic gardening course has been postponed due to lack of numbers. The course is designed to benefit people of all learning styles and experience, and will definitely help you save money by assisting you in growing better food.
If you are interested in doing the course but the timing didn’t suit (we can be flexible) then please register your interest with Wendy at Heartlands (525 6151) or contact Sol for more info (525 9110), and when there are at least eight people we’ll run the course.
Sol Morgan and Community Workers
Wrinklies Express
Please note: membership of the trust that operates this service costs $15 per annum, per person. Regretfully the service operates only for the benefit of financial members, providing transport to and from medical services. Our drivers are not obliged to carry passengers referred by hospitals, the information centre or even the police, unless the proposed passenger has a current membership card.
Please avoid embarrassment. Join now - we welcome new members, and look forward to providing you with service. Please ph Henk at 525 9735.
Henk Visker
Sustainability Tour
Spend a day touring some local homes, businesses and properties on Saturday 14 August, 9am-4.30pm. We will view and discuss a range of ideas on how we can all maximise eco-friendly concepts, sustainability and what other locals are up to. Past years have focused on homes, but this year we are broadening our view to see what else is happening. $25 tickets are available now from the Tasman District Council’s Takaka office. This will be a day of variety, good company and hopefully good learning. Sales close 12 August at 4.30pm.
Claire Webster, TDC environmental educator
Alzheimer Awareness Week
$415.80 was collected in Takaka on 13 July during Alzheimer Awareness Week. Thank you to all who contributed in any way. The Alzheimer Society Nelson covers Golden Bay and has excellent resource material. The field officers offer support for both caregivers and those who have been diagnosed with an alzheimer-type dementia. To contact the society phone 03 546 7702.
Margaret Fricker, volunteer
