Interim management group meeting update: project and change managers appointed
As the community health centre project progresses, the Ministry of Health has appointed two people to key roles:
Martin Ridgway is the project manager who will make sure all of the “pieces of the puzzle” come together and that everyone involved is kept on track. His experience in managing the Blenheim Wairau hospital development will be valuable.
Sue Morris has been appointed the change manager – to help the people working at the hospital, medical centre and rest home transition into a new integrated team.
They will be working with health planner Margaret Garthwaite and architect Terry Barnes, both of consultants Peddle Thorpe. Margaret is the link between the health staff and the architect. She interprets the health requirements of staff in a way that Terry can develop into designs.
Terry produced an initial “master plan” sketch before Christmas that will be used to consult with those who will work and live in the building, incorporating input from the interim plans developed with local designer Andy Clark.
His brief is to ensure the building works optimally and meets all industry guidelines. This process – which will move to concept, preliminary and then detailed designs over the next 6-7 months through ongoing discussion – will ensure everyone involved contributes to producing the best possible facility.
Terry said without the work already done, the process would take much longer, because everyone now has a good understanding of how an integrated health service will work. This process of refining the design means an application to Tasman District Council for a resource consent will now occur when the preliminary designs are completed.
IMG is still aiming on completing the building project by mid next year. The group believes the work put into the planning will make for smoother approvals and cheaper construction.
An important contributor to the design process is the work done by the clinical leadership team, made up of key managers and medical staff. They have been meeting to develop detailed descriptions of exactly what health services are provided in Golden Bay by the three organisations and how they will be run as an integrated service.
At the latest meeting on Monday there was full agreement on the areas covered – chronic conditions and acute, residential and after-hours care. Working groups have been formed to advise on specialised areas that need more development, including pregnancy and childbirth, mental health, palliative care and information technology.
The Golden Bay Community Health Te Hauora O Mohua Trust has now applied to three national organisations for funds for the building project.
Chair: Andrew Swanson Dobbs,
chief executive Nelson Bays Primary Health
