Green light for integrated family health centre
The District Health Board is pleased with the announcement that the Health Minister Tony Ryall has given the Golden Bay Integrated Family Health Care facility approval to proceed.
The Minister has approved the various decisions required under legislation. This means the purchase of land from the adjoining owner can proceed, enabling the complex to be constructed once the resource consent process is completed. Construction should be completed by November 2012.
“The trustees are absolutely delighted to get the green light for this project,” says spokesperson Linda Sanders. “It’s the culmination of the best part of a decade’s hard work by a wide range of people in the community, as well as tireless efforts and huge support by the Minister Tony Ryall, the Ministry of Health, Nelson Marlborough DHB and Nelson Bays Primary Health and our local MPs.
“We look forward to continuing to progress this project for the benefit of all Golden Bay residents who will be using its services over the coming months and years.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure this facility meets the needs of its users and staff. We’ll be encouraging Golden Bay people to provide practical and financial support for this last step.”
Nelson Marlborough DHB chief executive, John Peters said, “The centre will include a range of services to be provided by Nelson Bays Primary Health Trust and will house a number of services. These include the Golden Bay Medical Centre, Community Hospital and rest home services, as well as St John, who plan to develop an ambulance base on the land. That means all personal health and disability services in Golden Bay are consolidated on a single campus.”
Mr Peters said the cost of the project was estimated to be $7.584 million from a mix of funding sources, including fundraising of nearly $1 million by the community.
“This integration of health services ensures that Golden Bay residents and visitors can continue to access the best possible sustainable and responsive healthcare.”
Nelson Bays Primary Health will be the service provider of health services in the IFHC. The Golden Bay Community Health Te Hauora o Mohua Trust has been set up to administer the land and buildings. NMDHB’s ongoing role is the purchaser of health services for the people of Golden Bay. Mr Peters said the level of funding would remain the same for the area, and the business case shows that with the changes planned, a successful IFHC will be possible.
“Through the new centre, the DHB aims to provide seamless delivery of care with more coordinated service delivery, improved collaboration and less duplication of information and tests. It’s truly an integration of services, with public and community providers and includes GP practice, aged care at residential rest home level and hospital level continuing care including rehabilitation; acute assessment and short stay spaces including respite, palliative and post-operative care; birthing and post natal care as well as spaces for visiting specialists,” said Mr Peters.
The design that has been approved allows for future expansion, allows staffing efficiencies and supports quality of life for residents and longer term patients.
