Joan Whiting Rest Home receives lifeline
Myra Riordan, celebrating her 98th birthday last Sunday with some of her family, said “Oh I’m just so happy, it’s the most marvellous thing that could happen.” Photo: Neil Wilson.
It was Myra Riordan’s 98th birthday last Sunday and she celebrated in style at her home, the Joan Whiting Memorial Rest Home.
Myra’s family said that they hoped she would celebrate more birthdays at Joan Whiting and, as The GB Weekly went to press on Wednesday, the Ministry of Health announced that funding had been found to keep the home open.
The announcement led to more celebrations at the rest-home and a last-minute change to the planned protest march in Takaka. It will now be a “Thank You March”. Monday’s public meeting has been cancelled, but organiser Warwick Heal said that he had been amazed by the amount of support it had gathered.
“I’ve been thrilled by the amount of warmth and affection people have for the rest home,” said Warwick. “I had really good support from some of the politicians too. Damien O’Connor and Kevin Hague have been great. Kevin’s support was really practical. I’ve not been a Green supporter but I’ve been impressed with him.”
Chief executive of the Nelson Marlborough District health Board, John Peters, said, “We are delighted that the Joan Whiting Rest Home will continue to provide rest home care in the Bay, both in its present setting and then in the new Integrated Family Health Centre (IFHC). This means that people can once again be confident about admitting their loved ones to Joan Whiting.
Mr Peters explained that recent meetings with the Ministry of Health had led to the development of a time-frame for the completion of the IFHC.
“This has meant that the Ministry and the DHB are able to ensure the funding so that the current residents of Joan Whiting can remain in the Bay while the new facility is built. “This is not only a significant step forward for the IFHC in Golden Bay, but has also allowed resolution to the difficult issues surrounding the Joan Whiting Rest Home,” said Mr Peters.
“Once the IFHC is completed in 18 months time, there will be more assurance of long-term sustainable healthcare in the Bay.”
West Coast Tasman MP, Chris Auchinvole said, “I am relieved for the residents and their families that we have managed to remove the recent uncertainty. And for those who may have been planning to move to the beautiful Golden Bay to retire.
“When the Interim Management Group involved in the health centre reached agreement on a project plan, committed to applying for resource consents and completing the centre within 18 months, the Government responded by committing resources to support the planning. Resources include providing expertise in health planning, health architects, IT planning, models of care and health workforce. It makes economic sense for health and care facilities in small communities to be integrated, so they benefit from the economies of scale.”
“This is not some sort of a short term rescue package,” said Mr Auchinvole. “It ensures the continuity of rest home care in Golden Bay, initially at Joan Whiting Rest Home, then in the new Integrated Health Centre.”
Joan Whiting Trust chair Chris Mitson said, “It’s almost an anti climax after all the misery and stress suffered by the old folk, their families and the Joan Whiting staff. But we are incredibly grateful that the Minister has done the right thing and ended this bloody nightmare. Now we can plan for a secure future for old folk in Golden Bay, knowing that we will be in business until the new Integrated Health Centre opens. We’re delighted with the design of the new building - thanks to Andy Clark of Tukurua - and although we’ll be sad the old Joan Whiting won’t be around as a rest home, we do know we’ll have an excellent new facility for the old folk,” he said.
Mr Mitson paid tribute to Mr Peters and his team “for everything they have done behind the scenes for us in negotiations with the Ministry in Wellington. I don’t believe we’d have this deal if it hadn’t been for the DHB.
“The community response has been beyond our wildest expectations. Liza Eastman’s tireless work and all the folk who not only signed petitions but got out and went door-to-door for signatures.”
“And let’s not forget the media. The GB Weekly behind us all the way and the fantastic campaign run by The Nelson Mail. I’m just sad and sorry for all the pain and stress suffered by the residents, their families and their staff. Frankly, this deal could have been stitched up a year ago if the political will had been there. But that’s water under the bridge. There’s a lot of work ahead but now that the residents and their families have the good news, I’ve got a job I’m really going to enjoy - writing a formal letter to our 24 staff and telling them to chuck their dismissal notices in the fire. That’s going to feel good, really good,” Mr Mitson said.
When she heard the news Myra Riordan, said; “Oh I’m just so happy, it’s the most marvellous thing that could happen. This is such a lovely place, it should just never ever close.”
Another resident, Mary Baigent said; “This is just wonderful news. It’s been such hard work for so many people to get to this. It’s put a lot of people through a lot of unnecessary stress, not only us residents and staff, but all the families involved. It was as if they were trying to kill us off. This should never happen again.”
Russ Turner, also a resident, said “Lovely news, I’m just so rapt.”
Rest-home manager Jan Dahl said “We’re all just so happy. This is the very best news we could have all got today. The mood in here is unbelievable. We can stay open now. What a relief for everyone.”
Neil Wilson
